Lowly Hornets hand Rockets 3rd straight loss

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Terry Rozier scored 24 points and the fast-starting Charlotte Hornets beat the slumping Houston Rockets 108-99 on Saturday night.

The Hornets roared ahead 20-0 in the first 6 1/2 minutes. The Rockets had eight turnovers and missed five 3-pointers on their first 12 possessions.

Houston twice closed within three in the second quarter and within five in the third quarter. The Rockets have lost three straight after winning six straight and 10 of 12.

James Harden had 30 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists for his 46th career triple-double and fourth this season. He also had 10 of Houston's 21 turnovers.

Robert Covington added 25 points for the Rockets, and Jeff Green had 20.

Rozier scored 12 of his points in the third quarter to help Charlotte snap a three-game losing streak.

Devonte' Graham added 23 points, P.J. Washington 22, Cody Zeller 13 and Miles Bridges 10.

TIP-INS

Rockets: Rookie guard Chris Clemons estimated 200 fans came to see his first NBA game in his home state. The former Raleigh Millbrook High and Campbell University standout was recalled from the G-League on Friday. Clemons led the NCAA in scoring last season with a 30.1 average and is Big South Conference scoring leader with 3,225 points. He did not play Saturday.

Hornets: Charlotte entered Saturday with its seventh losing streak this season of three or more games. It's the most losing streaks of three or more games by the franchise since the 2014-15 season when it had eight such losing streaks.

UP NEXT

Rockets: Host Orlando on Sunday night.

Hornets: At Atlanta on Monday night.