03/27/24 10:15:00
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03/27 22:13 CDT Jalen Green scores 37, Rockets beat Thunder 132-126 in overtime
for 10th straight victory
Jalen Green scores 37, Rockets beat Thunder 132-126 in overtime for 10th
straight victory
By CLIFF BRUNT
AP Sports Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) --- Jalen Green scored 37 points and the Houston Rockets won
their 10th straight game, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 132-126 in
overtime on Wednesday night.
Amen Thompson had 25 points and 15 rebounds and Dillon Brooks added 20 points
for the Rockets. Houston entered the night a game behind the Golden State
Warriors for the final play-In tournament spot in the Western Conference.
Josh Giddey matched a career-high with 31 points for the Thunder, one night
after scoring a season-high 25 in a win at New Orleans. Jalen Williams added 23
points and 10 assists for Oklahoma City, which entered the night a half game
behind the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets.
Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sat out with a bruised right thigh. He
is the league's No. 3 scorer, averaging 30.4 points.
The final minutes of regulation were hectic. Giddey hustled to the ball and got
a shot to bounce in while sitting on the floor a few feet in front of the
free-throw line, putting the Thunder ahead 103-102 with just under four minutes
remaining.
Oklahoma City's Williams made a contested 3-pointer with 4.7 seconds remaining
to tie the score at 112. Jalen Green's layup at the buzzer rolled away, forcing
overtime. Brooks hit two 3-pointers early in the extra period to put the
Rockets in control.
The game had a little extra flair from the start. Confetti from a previous
event rained down on the floor right before the tip.
The Thunder trailed by double digits in the first quarter, but rallied to lead
50-49 at halftime.
The Thunder led 69-62 when Giddey fouled Jabari Smith Jr. Giddey tried to help
him up and Brooks pushed Giddey away and was issued a technical foul. It was
Brooks' 14th of the season, putting him two short of a one-game suspension.
Oklahoma City took an 85-80 lead into the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
Rockets: Visit the Utah Jazz on Friday night.
Thunder: Host the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
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