HOUSTON (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 23 points and Reed Sheppard added a season-high 21 off the bench to help the Houston Rockets coast to a 135-112 win over Washington on Wednesday night, extending the Wizards' skid to 10 games.
Houston was up by double digits for most of the game and had a 27-point lead at halftime. Washington outscored the Rockets 33-22 in the third to cut the lead to 103-87 entering the final period.
A 3-pointer by Bub Carrington got Washington within 16 again with about eight minutes to play before the Rockets used a 5-0 run, capped by a 3 from Sheppard, to extend the lead to 121-100.
Alperen Sengun made a 3-pointer for Houston to make it 126-105 with about 3 ½ minutes to play and coach Ime Udoka cleared the bench.
Alex Sarr, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, had 25 points and 11 rebounds for the Wizards, who fell to 1-11 this season. Kyshawn George added 16 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
Reserve Tari Eason scored a season-best 21 points for Houston and Sengun finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Amen Thompson scored 18 points and had eight assists as the Rockets improved to 7-3.
Houston dominated on the boards, outrebounding Washington 53-37, including a 20-12 offensive rebounding advantage.
The Rockets led by as many as 29 in the first half, when they scored a season-high 81 points. It was the third time this season they’ve scored at least 70 points in the first half after doing so just four times last season.
Up next:
Washington: Hosts Brooklyn Sunday.
Houston: Hosts Portland on Friday night as it continues a three-game homestand.
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