Rockets vs Thunder Final Score: Houston Wins 119-98 Behind Jabari Smith Jr.'s 30 Points
Houston led after every quarter and pulled away in the third, beating Oklahoma City 119-98 at Toyota Center as Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30 and Marcus Smart added 24 against a short-handed Thunder team.
HOUSTON - The first-quarter lead held all night. The Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-98 at Toyota Center on Saturday night, winning every quarter and improving to 6-1 a night after their first loss of the season.
Jabari Smith Jr. led Houston with 30 points, nine rebounds and five assists, and Marcus Smart added 24 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-3 from three-point range. Kevin Durant, facing his old franchise, had 14 points, and Tari Eason delivered the night's highlight with a third-quarter dunk over Aday Mara, ClutchPoints reported. Houston led 62-51 at halftime and 92-75 after three quarters.
Oklahoma City played short-handed - Chet Holmgren recently joined Cason Wallace and Jalen Williams on the injury list - and leaned on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 26 points and four rebounds. Kenrich Williams added 11 points and seven rebounds and Isaiah Hartenstein 10 points and seven rebounds, but the Thunder (4-2) dropped their second straight game.
For Houston, the response to Friday's loss in Dallas was complete: a 35-26 first quarter, a double-digit halftime lead and a 30-point third quarter that removed the doubt. The Rockets' fast start to the season now includes a 21-point win over the defending champions' conference rivals at home.
