

Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images
The Houston Rockets held off a late surge to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 113-102, riding a strong outing from Kevin Durant to secure their eighth consecutive win while handing Philadelphia its third straight loss.
Houston took control early, with Durant and Tari Eason leading the charge to a nine-point first-quarter lead. The Rockets kept the pressure on in the second, as Durant scored 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting in the period to help stretch the advantage to 17 at halftime.
Both teams struggled offensively after the break, but Houston maintained control and carried a 23-point cushion into the fourth. The game tightened late when the Rockets went cold, scoring just 11 points over a 10-minute stretch, allowing Philadelphia to trim the deficit to five.
With the momentum shifting, Durant delivered the dagger—a clutch three-pointer with 1:15 remaining—to steady Houston and seal the win.
Durant finished with a game-high 29 points to lead the Rockets, while Tyrese Maxey paced the 76ers with 23 in the loss.
The Rockets will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on a back-to-back, while the 76ers head to face the Indiana Pacers.


