Rockets beat the Sixers 132-123 in 2 OT

UPDATED: December 6, 2022 -- 10:56 a.m. CT

POSTED: December 5, 2022 -- 11:54 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets outlasted the Philadelphia 76ers in double overtime Monday night to earn a hard-fought 132-123 victory in front of a raucous Toyota Center crowd.

Houston has won three straight at home after losing five of its first six at Toyota Center while Philly has lost a season-high tying three straight to drop to 12-12 this season.

Jalen Green led the Rockets with 27 points. Kevin Porter Jr scored 24. Rookies Tari Eason (18 points) and Jabari Smith Jr (16 points) combined for 34 points and 17 rebounds. Eric Gordon and KJ Martin each scored 14 points. Alperen Sengun finished the game with 8 points and 8 rebounds before fouling out of the game in the second OT.

Jalen Green also led the Rockets with 7 turnovers. Green added 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal.

Sixers' big man Joel Embiid scored a game-high 39 points. Tobias Harris scored 27 points. James Harden scored 21 points.

The Rockets (7-17) got off to another slow start as the 76ers scored the first 10 points of the game. Kevin Porter Jr made 2 free throws to end the Rockets' scoring drought.

The Rockets struggled to make shots in the first quarter; but, the refs rewarded their aggressiveness by whistling the Sixers for 10 fouls in the first quarter.

Houston made 13 of 15 free throws but only made 6 of 15 field goal attempts in the first quarter. Houston trailed 30-27 after 12 minutes.

Green and Porter Jr each scored 6 points in the second quarter. Houston shot 50 fg% (9 for 18) in the second quarter and outscored Philly 29-25 in the second quarter.

Tari Eason was everywhere in the third quarter. Eason scored 11 points (4 for 4 fgs and 2 for 2 fts) in the quarter. Eason also added 2 steals. Houston shot 60.9 fg% (14 for 23) in the third period and outscored Philly 34-29 in the quarter.

The Rockets shot 24.0 fg% (6 for 25) in the fourth quarter. Houston led by as much as 9 (95-86) in the 4th; but, Philadelphia outscored Houston 22-13 in the final 10 minutes, 30 seconds to tie the game at 108.

James Harden missed a 13-footer in the paint

Harden missed all 8 of his two-point field goal attempts and made 4 of his 11 three-point shots; however, he did make 9 of his 10 free throw attempts. Harden led the Sixers with 7 turnovers.

With 40.1 seconds left in the quarter. Kevin Porter Jr missed a three-pointer and Sengun missed the tip-in. Harden got the rebound; and, with 3 seconds remaining, Harden attempted a step back 27-foot three-point attempt. Kevin Porter Jr stuffed Harden's attempt (and stared at Harden for a few seconds) after the blocked shot.

The Rockets called timeout with 3 seconds remaining to set up a final play. Sengun caught the inbounds with his back to the basket and passed to Jalen Green. Green got a decent look at the bucket for a 28-foot jumper. Shot bounced off the rim. Overtime.

Tied at 108.

In the final seconds of the first overtime, Kevin Porter Jr made the first free throw but missed the second free throw to tie the game at 117.

James Harden got a great look at an open 3 to win the game. The shot bounced off the rim.

Double OT.

Tied at 117.

Eric Gordon and KPJ each made a three-pointer in the first minute of the second overtime. The Sixers did not get closer than 3 the rest of the second OT.

Both teams had 20 turnovers in the ball game. Houston has now forced 20 or more turnovers four times this season after doing so three times in 2021-22.

The Rockets won despite hitting 14 3-pointers while the Sixers had 17 three-point field goals made per game on 47.2% shooting. Houston has five wins when recording fewer three-point field goals made per game than opponents this season after having three in 2021-22. The Rockets also pick up their third win of the season when allowing an opponent to shoot 40.0% or better after having two in 2021-22.

NEXT:

The Rockets' next game is Thursday night, December 28, on the road against the San Antonio Spurs. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. Central Time.

Support The HRR

CLICK HERE for The HRR's Rockets' write-ups.