SALT LAKE CITY – The Houston Rockets continued their strong push toward the playoffs, securing a 121-110 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night. Alperen Şengün dominated with 33 points and 10 rebounds, while Amen Thompson contributed a double-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.
For the Jazz, the struggles continued as they dropped their 14th loss in the last 15 games. With just one more defeat, Utah would set a new franchise record for the worst season in team history.
Rockets Maintain Playoff Position
With the win, Houston holds a two-game lead over the Denver Nuggets for the third spot in the Western Conference standings. With a little more than two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Rockets aim to hold off challenges from the Lakers, Nuggets, and Memphis Grizzlies as they push for a No. 2 seed in the playoffs.
Jalen Green added 21 points, and Tari Eason chipped in 15 to bolster the Rockets’ offense.
Jazz Show Signs of Life, But Fall Short
Despite another disappointing result, Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 21 points, while Keyonte George contributed 17. Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski each added 16, and Brice Sensabaugh finished with 15.
Collier has been one of Utah’s bright spots lately, continuing his recent offensive surge. After a 21-point performance against Memphis, he followed up with a 7-for-12 shooting effort against Houston.
Late-Game Push Falls Short
The Jazz kept the game close late, trimming the Rockets’ lead to 105-102 after a three-pointer from Sexton with 3:36 remaining. However, Houston responded immediately, as Thompson scored 18 seconds later, sparking a 6-0 run that helped them pull away for good.
Rebounding and Second-Chance Points Make the Difference
One of the biggest factors in Houston’s victory was their dominance on the boards. The Rockets outrebounded the Jazz 58-40, including a staggering 18-3 edge on offensive rebounds. Those extra opportunities translated into a 30-8 advantage in second-chance points, further tilting the game in Houston’s favor.
What’s Next?
The Jazz begin a five-game road trip on Friday, facing the Denver Nuggets, while the Rockets continue their playoff push with a challenging schedule ahead, featuring six road games in their next eight contests.
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