The Library Media — Sports · Sports Desk
Sengun Scores Season-High 43 as Rockets Hold Off Jazz 125-118
By Adrian Cole
HOUSTON, Texas — Alperen Sengun scored a season-high 43 points on 17-of-24 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 125-118 on Friday night at Toyota Center, extending their winning streak to three games.
Sengun added five assists for his second career 40-point game. According to the NBA, via The Associated Press, he became the third player in franchise history to record at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while shooting at least 70% from the field. Hakeem Olajuwon accomplished the feat in 1994 and Yao Ming in 2004.
Kevin Durant contributed 22 points and six assists, converting all 10 of his free-throw attempts. Fred VanVleet scored 17 points, while Amen Thompson added 12 points and 10 rebounds and Tari Eason finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Both Thompson and Eason recorded double-doubles.
Houston led 63-53 at halftime but faced a tighter contest after Utah scored 36 points in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 92-89. Sengun and VanVleet helped engineer a 15-2 Rockets run late in the period, according to Reuters.
The Jazz remained within reach in the fourth quarter, but Houston made the decisive plays down the stretch. VanVleet banked in a shot that beat the shot clock with 11 seconds remaining, extending the Rockets’ advantage to 123-118. Durant then converted two late free throws to establish the final margin.
Utah received a career-high 28 points from rookie Darryn Peterson, who recorded his fifth consecutive 20-point game. Keyonte George scored 27 points, including 10 in the third quarter, as the Jazz continued to compete despite another defeat.
The victory improved Houston’s record to 10-3 and its NBA Cup record to 1-1. The Rockets have now won three straight games.
Utah dropped to 1-12 with its 11th consecutive loss, extending a difficult opening stretch to the season.
Adrian Cole
NBA, The Library Media
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