Smith Jr. Scores 30 as Rockets Rout Thunder 119-98 for Second Straight OKC Loss

Houston handed Oklahoma City a second straight defeat on Saturday night, running away with a 119-98 win at the Toyota Center. The Rockets seized control early, leading 35-26 after the first quarter and 62-51 at half-time, and they never allowed the Thunder back into the contest, stretching the advantage to 92-75 by the end of the third. Jabari Smith Jr. led the way with 30 points, while Marcus Smart added 24 in a commanding all-round display. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander top-scored for the visitors with 26 points, but Oklahoma City, already beaten 120-96 in Dallas on Wednesday, had no answer once Houston's lead ballooned in the second half. The defeat drops the Thunder to 4-2, while Houston, who had themselves lost 116-111 in Dallas on Friday night, bounced back in emphatic fashion to make it six wins from seven. Kenrich Williams added 11 points and seven rebounds for the Thunder, and Isaiah Hartenstein chipped in with 10 points and seven boards, but the night belonged to a Rockets side that outscored their opponents in every quarter.