DENVER (Interstat) — Kevin Durant scored 31 points and Reed Sheppard ignited a decisive third-quarter run as the Houston Rockets avenged a recent loss to the Denver Nuggets with a 115-101 victory Saturday at Ball Arena. Sheppard scored 11 consecutive points to close the third, finishing with 28 points and six 3-pointers. His late steal and slam sealed the win after Denver’s reserves cut a 21-point deficit to 10. Durant added five 3-pointers, and Jabari Smith Jr. had 22 points and 10 rebounds for Houston. The Rockets, who lost to Denver on Monday, shot 54% from long range and used a 27-point second quarter to build a lead they never relinquished. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 25 points, but Denver’s six-game winning streak ended. Houston improved to 17-8, while Denver fell to 20-7.

DENVER (Interstat) — In a game defined by a decisive second-quarter surge, the Houston Rockets avenged two narrow losses to the Denver Nuggets earlier this season with a commanding 115-101 victory at Ball Arena on Saturday night. The Rockets, led by Kevin Durant’s 31 points, used a 27-point second quarter to seize control, outscoring the Nuggets by 11 in the period to turn a three-point deficit after one quarter into an eight-point halftime lead they would never relinquish. The win improved Houston to 17-8, while the Nuggets fell to 20-7. The most critical stretch of the game began late in the first quarter and extended through the second. After a back-and-forth opening period that saw Denver take a 29-26 lead, the Rockets’ defense stiffened and their three-point shooting ignited. Houston held the Nuggets to just 16 points in the second quarter on 5-of-23 shooting from the field. Offensively, the Rockets found a rhythm from deep, hitting five three-pointers in the quarter. A 12-0 run, capped by consecutive three-pointers from Josh Okogie and a transition dunk from Amen Thompson off a Reed Sheppard steal, turned a 37-37 tie into a 49-37 Houston advantage. The Nuggets, plagued by six turnovers in the quarter, could not mount a response before halftime, trailing 53-45. Houston’s offensive efficiency was the story of the night. The Rockets shot a blistering 54.3% from the field and an even more impressive 54.3% from three-point range, making 19 of 35 attempts. They posted an offensive rating of 117.4 points per 100 possessions. In stark contrast, the Nuggets struggled mightily from the perimeter, connecting on only 8 of 29 three-point attempts (27.6%) and managing an offensive rating of just 97.2. Denver’s star center Nikola Jokic finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists, but the team’s overall shooting woes and Houston’s hot hand proved insurmountable. Durant, the veteran forward from Washington, D.C., paced the Rockets with his efficient 31-point performance, adding six rebounds and five assists in 40 minutes. He was supported by a breakout game from rookie guard Reed Sheppard, who scored 28 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 6-of-9 from three-point range, and dished out six assists. Forward Jabari Smith recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Amen Thompson provided 16 points, six assists and disruptive defense. For Denver, Jokic’s 25 points led the way, while guard Jamal Murray added 16 points and seven assists. Bruce Brown posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds off the bench. However, the Nuggets’ supporting cast offered inconsistent offense, and the team’s nine assists reflected a stagnant offensive night against a active Houston defense that registered nine blocks and six steals. The Rockets methodically extended their lead in the third quarter, answering every brief Denver push. A Sheppard three-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer gave Houston a commanding 82-66 advantage entering the final period. The Nuggets made a final run in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 86-81 with 6:31 remaining after a Jamal Murray three-point play. But Durant immediately responded with a deep three-pointer on the ensuing possession, and after a Jokic free throw, Smith and Durant combined for the next five points to push the lead back to 94-82 and effectively seal the game. The victory snaps a two-game head-to-head losing streak for Houston against Denver this season, following a 128-125 loss in the same building just five days prior and a 112-109 home loss in November. The Rockets’ season-best three-point shooting performance and a locked-in defensive effort in the pivotal second quarter were the catalysts for reversing that trend. Houston continues a road trip Sunday at Sacramento. Denver will look to rebound when it hosts Utah on Monday.

Preview: Rockets, Nuggets Set for High-Stakes Rematch in Denver DENVER (Interstat) — A Western Conference heavyweight rematch awaits Saturday night at Ball Arena as the Denver Nuggets host the Houston Rockets, just five days after their last thrilling encounter. The Nuggets (19-6) narrowly outlasted the Rockets (16-7) 128-125 on Monday, marking the second time this season Denver has edged Houston by three points. The season series stands at 2-0 in favor of the defending champions, adding urgency for the visiting Rockets to avoid a sweep. The spotlight will again shine on the marquee center matchup. Houston’s Alperen Sengun is playing at an All-NBA level, averaging 26.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists over his last eight games. He posted a triple-double (33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) in Monday’s loss. However, he faces his toughest test in two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who is averaging a near triple-double on the season. Jokic dominated the previous meeting with 39 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. Denver has won 10 of its last 12 games and boasts the league’s best home record at 13-1. The Nuggets’ offense, powered by Jokic and Jamal Murray (35 points on Monday), has scored at least 125 points in seven of their last nine contests. Houston arrives with the league’s top road record at 11-3, demonstrating resilience away from home. Beyond Sengun, the Rockets feature a balanced attack with veterans like Kevin Durant, who had 25 points, seven assists and five blocks in the last meeting. The game could hinge on perimeter defense and closing execution. Both prior meetings were decided in the final minutes, suggesting another down-to-the-wire battle is likely. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MST Saturday. The Nuggets host Utah on Monday, while the Rockets travel to Sacramento for a back-to-back Sunday.