Rockets shake off third-quarter slump to defeat Nuggets 110-100

The Houston Rockets defeated the Denver Nuggets 110-100 on Monday night to end a two-game losing streak. The win came after Houston dropped its previous two contests against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns, following a 7-1 start to the season.

Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 23 points, while Alperen Sengun contributed 20. The team secured the victory despite a late challenge from Denver. With about five minutes remaining, Jamal Murray cut the lead to six points by making two free throws. Christian Braun then missed two free throws for Denver, allowing Houston to extend the margin to 110-90 with four minutes left on the clock.

The game featured a dramatic swing in the third quarter. The Rockets held a 16-point lead early in the period, but Denver closed the gap with an 18-2 run. That sequence tied the score at 60-60 with approximately five minutes left in the quarter. During that stretch, Houston missed nine consecutive shots and committed two turnovers. Their only points in that span came from a pair of free throws by Durant.

Denver's resurgence was fueled by three-pointers from Jokic, Murray, and Cameron Johnson. Houston responded to the deficit with an 11-2 run of its own. Tari Eason scored the Rockets' first field goal in more than six and a half minutes with about four minutes left in the third quarter, helping shift the lead to 71-62.

Murray finished with 38 points, his fourth game this season with at least 34 points. Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists. Sengun and Fred VanVleet stabilized Houston's offense late in the game. Sengun hit a short basket, and VanVleet followed with a three-pointer to push the lead to 96-87 with 5 1/2 minutes remaining.

The Rockets will host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. Denver will visit the Memphis Grizzlies on the same evening.