The Houston Rockets snapped a three-game skid with a 119-113 win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night at Toyota Center, closing the game with timely execution after a back-and-forth battle.
Kevin Durant scored 28 points and delivered two emphatic dunks late, while Alperen Sengun posted 23 points and 11 assists to guide Houston to its 23rd win of the season.
The contest featured 35 lead changes, with neither side able to gain separation for most of the night, which reflected the pace and shot-making on both ends.
Chicago held a one-point edge with just over three minutes remaining before Houston responded with a decisive 7-2 run to take control.
Durant opened that stretch with a dunk, and Jabari Smith Jr. followed with a three-pointer that put the Rockets ahead 110-106.
A layup by Tre Jones trimmed the deficit, but Smith answered again with a jumper and then a three from the top of the key to push the margin to seven with under two minutes left.
Chicago continued to pressure, as Kevin Huerter scored inside, yet Durant countered with another dunk that effectively sealed the outcome.
Amen Thompson matched Sengun with 23 points, and Smith scored 10 of his 18 in the fourth quarter to stabilize Houston during key possessions.
The Rockets shot 51 percent from the field and outrebounded the visitors 50-40, which helped offset a 7-of-24 night from three-point range.
Chicago was led by Jones, who produced a career-high 34 points on 11-of-12 shooting and added seven assists, continuing a strong individual stretch despite the team result.
The Bulls briefly grabbed momentum late in the fourth when three-pointers from Isaac Okoro and Ayo Dosunmu turned a six-point deficit into a one-point lead.
After Matas Buzelis hit a three to put Chicago ahead 102-101, Thompson answered with two free throws before another Buzelis basket restored the Bulls’ lead with 3:30 remaining.
From that point, Houston’s defensive stops and efficient shot selection proved decisive, as Chicago managed only one field goal in the final 90 seconds.
The loss marked Chicago’s fourth defeat in five games, dropping the club to 18-21 despite shooting 44 percent overall and 83 percent from the free-throw line.
The Bulls host the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, while the Rockets continue their homestand Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
