The Houston Rockets established a commanding lead early, outscoring the Oklahoma City Thunder 35-26 in the first quarter to set the tone for a decisive victory. Jabari Smith Jr. was the engine of the offense, finishing with a game-high 30 points.
The Rockets' dominance was evident as they maintained a double-digit advantage for the majority of the contest, ultimately securing a 119-98 win over the visiting Thunder on Saturday.
Early Surge
The Rockets hit the ground running, building a lead that would never truly waver. They led 35-26 after the first 12 minutes, capitalizing on efficient shooting from both inside and outside the arc. Smith Jr. contributed significantly to this early push, while Alperen Sengun orchestrated the offense, dishing out assists to keep the ball moving.
By the end of the second quarter, Houston had extended their cushion, leading 62-51 at the half. The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 26 points, struggled to find consistent rhythm against the Rockets' defensive pressure.
Mid-Game Control
Houston continued to dictate the pace in the second half. The Rockets outscored the Thunder 30-24 in the third quarter, further stretching the gap. Sengun was particularly effective in the paint and from the free-throw line, providing a steady scoring threat that kept the Thunder from closing the distance.
Smith Jr. added to his total with several key baskets, including three-pointers that extended the lead. The Thunder’s Ajay Mitchell provided a spark with five assists, but the team’s overall offensive output was not enough to counter the Rockets’ balanced attack.
