Lauri Markkanen scored 29 points and Keyonte George added 28 to lead the Utah Jazz to a 133-125 win over the Houston Rockets on Monday night at Delta Center.
George hit 5 of 6 free throws in the final minute and added a steal to secure the victory. He also recorded eight assists and shot 8-for-14 from the field.
Markkanen went 9-for-17 from the floor and made 9-of-11 free throws, adding eight rebounds. His consistent scoring helped Utah maintain a lead through most of the game.
Jusuf Nurkic had a season-high 18 points and nine rebounds before fouling out, while Ace Bailey contributed 13 points off the bench. Utah improved to 7-13 and won its second straight home game after a rough start to the season.
The Rockets (13-5), who had won five straight on the road, were led by Alperen Sengun’s 31 points and 14 assists. Kevin Durant added 32 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, but Houston could not overcome Utah’s lead.
Amen Thompson scored 23 points for Houston, and the team was hampered by 24 second-chance points for the Jazz and missed presence of Steven Adams inside.
Utah built a 98-77 lead late in the third quarter, but the Rockets rallied with a 12-0 run to narrow the gap to 98-89 entering the fourth. The Jazz then outscored Houston 35-36 in the final period, with clutch free throws by George sealing the outcome.
Utah shot 50 percent overall, including 40 percent from three, and grabbed 50 rebounds. Houston shot 44 percent and made 29 free throws but committed crucial fouls down the stretch.
The Jazz now head to Brooklyn to face the Nets on Thursday, while Houston returns home to host the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
