Kevin Durant dropped 26 points and Alepren Sengun added 22 to help the Houston Rockets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 102-95 on Tuesday night.
The Rockets led by six points early in the fourth period and scored the first seven points of the quarter to extend their lead to 85-72 with 10 ½ minutes remaining.
Kawhi Leonard made two free throws, but the Rockets scored the next four points to extend the lead.
Leonard had 24 points after scoring 41 points in a blowout win in December in the last meeting between the teams.
Houston led by 12 later in the fourth quarter when Durant stole the ball from Brook Lopez, and Reed Sheppard made an off-balance three-pointer to make it 92-77 with about 6.5 minutes left.
The Rockets stayed ahead by 15 about a minute later when Los Angeles coach Tyronn Lue cleared his bench.
Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds and Amen Thompson added 16 for the Rockets in his return after being sidelined with illness in Saturday’s win over the Thunder.
A deep three from Jordan Miller cut the lead to two points late in the third before Sengun scored the final two baskets of the quarter to put the Rockets ahead 78-72 entering the fourth.
Meanwhile, Darius Garland, who was acquired by the Clippers in exchange for James Harden, remained out due to a toe injury.
The two teams meet again on Wednesday as their final game before the All-Star break.
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