The Nets lose to the Rockets, 120-96, on New Year’s Day
NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 22 points and 11 assists, a season high, Amen Thompson he scored 23 points and the Houston Rockets beat the Brooklyn Nets 120-96 on Thursday night for their fourth straight win.
Alperen Sengun he scored 20 points, six rebounds and six assists after a two-game absence for the Rockets, who got off to a fast start in both halves to win in Brooklyn for the first time in seven years. Tari Eson he finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Jabari Smith Jr. AND Reed Sheppard each scored 14 points.
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Sengun was 8 of 12 from the field after missing two games with a left calf injury.
Cam Thomas he scored 21 points for the Nets, who lost their second straight victory after winning three in a row for the only time this season. Ziaire Williams added 14.
Michael Porter Jr.who leads the Nets with a career-high 25.8 points per game, missed the game with an illness along with the injured starting guards Egor Demin AND Terance Mann. Without them, Brooklyn never won their first home loss to Houston since Nov. 2, 2018, after winning their last six meetings.
The Nets went 7-4 in December and allowed an NBA-low 104.6 points per game, but the Rockets quickly attacked them to start the new year. Houston made its first seven shots to take a 16-5 lead, went up by 14 in the second quarter and took a 53-42 lead at halftime.
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Houston then made its first five 3-pointers and started 8-of-9 overall in the second half. Smith and Eason hit two threes each and Thompson hit one in a 19-5 run that extended their 11-point lead to 74-49 when Smith hit back-to-back threes.
The Rockets played without centers Steven Adams (right ankle sprain) e Clint Capela (illness).
Next
Rockets: Visit Dallas on Saturday.
Nets: Visit Washington on Friday.