The Houston Rockets dropped 73 points in the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night and lost, 104-92. Houston had just 19 points in the second half, negating 12 made three-pointers. In doing so, the Rockets tied the Clippers, who originally set the mark for futility in a half in 1999 vs the Lakers.
Kevin Durant came out strong to start the game, scoring 21 points in the first half and leading the Thunder to a 36-32 lead after 12 minutes of play. That all changed as the Rockets bombed away from beyond the arc, shooting 12-of-20 from three on the way to scoring 41 points and finishing up at half, 73-59.
Houston eventually cooled off as the second half got underway and Oklahoma City was able to draw the score even, 83-83, at the end of the third quarter. The Rockets were ice cold throughout the second half, which allowed the Thunder to take a lead early in the fourth quarter.
Reggie Jackson had an incredible night filling in for the injured Russell Westbrook, including a ridiculous banked three-pointer with 4:13 left in the game to make it, 97-89, Thunder. From that point on, the Rockets had no chance, and it was all Oklahoma City down the stretch.
First half = Godfather 1 & 2. Second half = Godfather 3.
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 17, 2014
Durant led all scorers with 36 points on 8-of-21 shooting, adding five rebounds and seven assists. Jackson showed up big, scoring 23 points, four assists and six steals. Serge Ibaka had 21 points on 10-of-13 shooting, 15 rebounds and five blocks.
For Houston, the scoring was measured in the first half but nonexistent in the second. Terrence Jones finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, and James Harden had 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting, adding eight assists and seven rebounds.
The win moves Oklahoma City to 29-10 on the year, good enough for third in the Western Conference. Houston drops to 26-15, keeping them in fifth place.
Dwight Howard and Steven Adams are called for a double foul in the fourth quarter.
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