Sports

NBA: Rockets down Thunder to earn rare winning streak


Tari Eason NBA rocket

Tari Eason #17 of the Houston Rockets reacts with a three-point shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half at Toyota Center on February 1, 2023 in Houston, Texas. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP

Eric Gordon scored a season-high 25, rookie Tari Eason scored a third straight double and the Houston Rockets led the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-106 on Wednesday.

Kenyon Martin Jr. Houston’s demonstrated the ability to stick around in the fourth quarter, drilling a 3-pointer and converting a forward pitch to help Houston maintain control.

Martin had 18 points and 7 rebounds while Eason scored a career-high 20 with 13 rebounds, including 12 attacks, coming on from the bench. Alperen Sengun (10 points, 12 rebounds) also scored a brace for Houston, who recorded consecutive wins for the first time since mid-December.

The Rockets are without Jalen Green (calf) and Kevin Porter Jr. (foot).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 24 points and eight rebounds for Oklahoma City, which lost for the third time in four games. Josh Giddey added 20 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, while Tre Mann scored 18 points and hit 4 3-pointers from the Thunder’s bench.

Oklahoma City led by 12 points in the first half and 9 points after halftime, but Giddey sealed the score 93-93 with 8:04 remaining in the fourth half.

The Thunder erased their halftime shortfall with a 14-4 scoreline after halftime. Rookie Jaylin Williams scored seven points during the run, capped by his 22-foot runner, giving Oklahoma City a 72-71 lead, its first advantage since the start of the first quarter.

Gilgeous-Alexander then scored seven straight points for the Thunder, and his three-point match with 53.9 seconds left gave the Thunder an 86-80 lead, sending the Rockets down to two points late in the half.

Houston’s 9-0 lead at the start of the fourth half led 93-89 with 9:31 after Eason’s three-point play.

Rockets Josh Christopher’s consecutive dunks – one left at 7:20 and one left at 5:55 – gave the Rockets a 100-95 advantage.

The Thunder took the lead in the second round on Gilgeous-Alexander’s box with 4:17 remaining, but Houston scored the next five points, including a strike from Martin, to take the lead.

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