Rockets surrender in third quarter, suffer crushing defeat to Nuggets! Durant scores 11 points, matching season low; Murray scores 30, Jokić achieves triple-double.

On March 12, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued, with the Rockets losing to the Nuggets 93-129 on the road. In the four encounters between the two teams this season, the Rockets have won one and lost three. The Rockets trailed the Nuggets by 6 points at halftime, then fell further behind in the second half. After three quarters, they were down by 24 points, prompting the Rockets to bench all their starters and surrender one quarter early. Durant scored only 11 points in this game, matching his personal lowest scoring output this season. Murray scored 30 points, while Jokić recorded 16 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists, and 5 steals.

Statistical Data

Rockets: Amen 16 points 5 rebounds 4 assists, Smith Jr. 11 points 7 rebounds, Durant 11 points 4 rebounds 5 assists, Sengun 10 points 2 rebounds 3 assists, Eason 8 points 8 rebounds, Shepherd 9 points, Okogie 12 points, Capela 9 points 7 rebounds.

Nuggets: Murray 30 points 4 assists, Jokić 16 points 12 rebounds 13 assists 5 steals, Braun 19 points 4 rebounds 3 assists, Johnson 17 points 4 assists, Hardaway 14 points 3 rebounds, Valanciunas 12 points 5 rebounds 3 assists, Bruce Brown 7 points.

Star of the Game

Murray and Jokić performed excellently, leading the Nuggets to a major victory over the Rockets.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Sengun scored on a layup, Jokić and Durant hit mid-range shots, Smith Jr. made a three-pointer, and the Rockets opened with a 7-2 lead. Braun and Johnson scored consecutively, Murray scored 7 points in a row, and the Nuggets overtook the Rockets. Okogie scored on a put-back dunk, Hardaway hit a three-pointer. Murray and Jokić scored on mid-range shots, Smith Jr. and Eason responded. Braun dunked, Sengun drew a foul but missed both free throws. At the end of the first quarter, the Nuggets led the Rockets 24-20.

In the second quarter, Valanciunas scored on a mid-range shot, Sengun made a layup but again missed both free throws. Hardaway and Shepherd exchanged three-pointers. Eason, Amen, Sengun, and Shepherd scored consecutively, allowing the Rockets to tie the Nuggets. Murray hit a mid-range shot, Amen scored on an alley-oop dunk. Murray and Jokić stabilized the situation, Amen then scored 4 points in a row, Braun and Johnson combined for an 8-0 run. Capela dunked, Eason scored inside, Braun hit a long-range three-pointer. At halftime, the Nuggets led the Rockets 53-47. Jokić recorded 6 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 5 steals, becoming the fifth player since the 1996-97 season to achieve at least 5 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals in a half.

After switching sides in the third quarter, Jokić scored 4 points in a row, Amen and Eason scored on layups, Durant dunked. Johnson hit a three-pointer, Jokić scored on a floater, Murray dunked, Johnson hit another three-pointer. Durant and Amen scored on mid-range shots, Murray scored on a finger roll. Durant hit a mid-range shot, Braun connected on consecutive three-pointers, and the Nuggets extended their lead to 19 points. Shepherd scored on a layup, Johnson hit a mid-range shot, Amen scored 4 points in a row, Bruce Brown dunked, Hardaway hit a three-pointer. At the end of the third quarter, the Rockets trailed the Nuggets 69-93.

In the fourth quarter, Udoka directly benched the starters, surrendering one quarter early. The Nuggets also replaced most of their starters. Hardaway hit a three-pointer, Murray scored 8 points in a row. Capela scored inside, Valanciunas scored 4 points in a row, Bruce Brown hit another three-pointer, and the Rockets' deficit grew larger. The outcome of the game was decided early, and ultimately, the Rockets suffered a crushing defeat to the Nuggets on the road.

Starting Lineups

Rockets: Amen, Eason, Durant, Smith Jr., Sengun.

Nuggets: Murray, Braun, Johnson, Gordon, Jokić.