The Thunder struggled to overcome a red-hot start from the Rockets who shot over 50 percent from the 3-point line through all four quarters. Ultimately, 28 3-pointers from Houston coupled with Thunder turnovers gave the Rockets the favorable result in the first of two back-to-back matchups.
It was a slow start for the Thunder and a hot start for Houston that set the tone for Monday’s matchup. The Rockets posted 48 points in the opening frame behind 11-made 3-pointers on just 14 attempts. On the other end of the floor, the Thunder started cold from behind the arc and instead worked through Al Horford in the lane early on posting up the big man against Houston’s Christian Wood in order to jump start its offense.