HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Oklahoma City Thunder solidified their NBA-best record with a commanding 111-91 victory over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Thursday night. A dominant 34-point second quarter propelled the Thunder, who led by 20 at halftime and never relented before a crowd of 18,055. Oklahoma City improved to 35-7, while Houston fell to 23-15. The Thunder’s balanced attack overwhelmed the Rockets, who struggled to find consistent offense after the first quarter. The teams’ previous meeting in October required double overtime, but Oklahoma City controlled this one throughout, capitalizing on a decisive early run to secure the road win.

HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Oklahoma City Thunder arrived at Toyota Center on Thursday night with the NBA’s best record and a four-game winning streak. They left with both intact, but only after a dominant fourth-quarter surge turned a tight contest into a decisive 111-91 victory over the Houston Rockets. The game’s pivotal moment arrived as the final period began. Holding a slim 77-75 lead, the Thunder unleashed a 14-2 run over the first four minutes that effectively decided the contest. The burst was fueled by a combination of stifling defense and explosive offense. Rookie guard Ajay Mitchell, who finished with 17 points, ignited the run with a driving layup and a deep step-back three-pointer. On the next possession, Cason Wallace, who added 17 points off the bench, connected from beyond the arc. After an Alperen Sengun basket for Houston briefly interrupted the flow, Wallace buried another three-pointer, forcing a Rockets timeout with Oklahoma City leading 88-77. The Rockets never recovered. Their offense, which had managed to hang within striking distance for three quarters, collapsed under the Thunder’s defensive pressure. Houston shot a dismal 6 for 24 from the field in the fourth quarter and committed five turnovers, scoring only 16 points. Oklahoma City, by contrast, scored 34 in the period, shooting 12 for 21 and assisting on eight of their made baskets. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 20 points, but it was the all-around performance of Chet Holmgren that set the tone. The 7-foot-1 center from Minneapolis scored 18 points, grabbed nine rebounds and swatted four shots in just 29 minutes. His defensive presence was a constant deterrent at the rim, and his ability to stretch the floor with three-point shooting — he made two — kept Houston’s interior defense off balance. The Thunder improved to 35-7 with the win, their fifth straight. The Rockets fell to 23-15, losing for just the third time in their last ten games. For much of the night, Houston stayed competitive through the efforts of Kevin Durant and a strong performance on the glass. Durant led the Rockets with 19 points but struggled with his efficiency, making just 7 of 23 shots and missing all five of his three-point attempts. The Rockets outrebounded Oklahoma City 56-48, with Sengun posting 14 points and 13 rebounds and Steven Adams pulling down 11 boards. Jabari Smith added a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. However, Houston’s shooting woes were fatal. The team connected on only 7 of 24 three-point attempts (29.2%) and shot 39.8% from the field overall. Their 16-point fourth quarter was their lowest-scoring period of the season. Oklahoma City’s depth and ball movement proved overwhelming. Jalen Williams orchestrated the offense with 10 assists, and the Thunder bench, led by Wallace and Mitchell, outscored Houston’s reserves 45-26. The Thunder also forced 18 Rockets turnovers, converting them into 23 points. The game began with Oklahoma City establishing an early edge, leading 21-19 after a first quarter that saw six lead changes. The Thunder extended their lead to 55-48 at halftime, powered by a 34-point second quarter. Houston fought back in the third, outscoring Oklahoma City 27-22 to close the gap to 77-75 entering the final frame, setting the stage for the Thunder’s game-breaking run. A crowd of 18,055 at Toyota Center watched as the Thunder methodically pulled away, showcasing the balance and defensive intensity that has them atop the league standings. Oklahoma City now heads to Miami to continue a road trip on Saturday, while Houston will look to regroup quickly, hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Oklahoma City entered with a 60.8% probability to win. The Thunder covered the pregame spread of -4, and the total score of 202 points fell under the over/under line of 223.

Preview: NBA’s Top-Ranked Thunder Visit Rockets in Houston HOUSTON (Interstat) — The NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, boasting the league’s best record at 33-7, visit the Houston Rockets on Thursday night at Toyota Center in a Western Conference matchup. The Thunder arrive having won eight of their last 10 games, including a 124-112 victory over Miami on Sunday. Oklahoma City’s last outing was a 125-124 double-overtime win over these same Rockets on Oct. 21. Houston (22-14), sitting fourth in the West, looks to rebound from a 111-98 road loss to Sacramento on Sunday. The Rockets have dropped three straight games, all on the road. The spotlight will be on Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a perennial MVP candidate averaging 29.3 points per game. He is coming off a 29-point, eight-assist performance against Miami and has scored 30 or more points in six of his last 10 contests. Houston will counter with dynamic guard Amen Thompson, who is averaging a near triple-double over his last three games with 26.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Thompson posted 31 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in the loss to the Kings. Oklahoma City’s balanced attack features Chet Holmgren (16 points, nine rebounds vs. Miami) and Jalen Williams. Houston’s offense is powered by Thompson, forward Kevin Durant (23 points vs. Sacramento) and center Alperen Sengun. The Thunder’s league-best defense, allowing just 106.3 points per 100 possessions, will be tested by a Houston team that averages 114.7 points at home. Following this game, Oklahoma City continues a road trip at Miami on Saturday. Houston hosts Minnesota on Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.