Rockets 100, Jazz 93: James Harden scored a game-high 29 points and Jeremy Lin added 24 as host Houston posted its third straight win over Utah.
Chandler Parsons recorded 10 points while Omer Asik chipped in nine and 12 rebounds for the Rockets, who improved to 3-1 on their seven-game homestand.
Gordon Hayward scored 27 points and Al Jefferson registered his 31st double-double with 18 points and 11 boards for the Jazz, who have lost seven straight on the road and 10 of 13 overall.
Houston held an eight-point lead after one quarter and increased the advantage to 52-33 at the half. The teams played even in the third quarter as the Jazz still trailed by 19 before making a comeback attempt in the fourth.
Utah used a 14-3 run to get within 87-79 with 4:25 remaining as Hayward and Alec Burks scored five points apiece. The Jazz cut the deficit to five on a pair of free throws by Hayward with 1:29 left, but Harden and Lin combined to sink 7-of-8 from the line to seal the win.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Utah's skid on the road is its longest since also dropping seven in a row from Dec. 4-19, 2007. ... After shooting 38.8 percent over their previous three games, the Jazz were 36-of-79 (45.6 percent) against Houston. ... Harden was only 5-for-14 but made his first 17 free throws before missing his final attempt with five seconds left.
Utah | Houston | |
Gordon Hayward 27 | Scoring | James Harden 29 |
Mo Williams 6 | Assists | Jeremy Lin 6 |
Al Jefferson 11 | Rebounds | Omer Asik 12 |
Gordon Hayward 6 | Free Throws Made | James Harden 17 |
Al Jefferson 2 | Steals | Patrick Beverley 3 |
Derrick Favors 3 | Blocks | Omer Asik 1 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Utah | 93 | 45.6 | 5-17 | 16-20 | 19 | 36 | 5 | 9 | 14 |
Houston | 100 | 44.7 | 6-23 | 26-32 | 15 | 44 | 4 | 10 | 16 |