Rockets defeat Nuggets 110-100 in Denver

The Denver Nuggets lost 110-100 to the Houston Rockets on Monday night, ending their two-game winning streak. The defeat also snapped a recent slump for Houston, which had fallen to Minnesota and Phoenix after starting the season 7-1.

Kevin Durant scored 23 points for Houston, and Alperen Sengun added 20. Denver's Jamal Murray led the home team with 38 points, marking his fourth game this season with at least 34 points. Nikola Jokic contributed 25 points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists for the Nuggets.

The game shifted dramatically in the third quarter. Denver built momentum with an 18-2 run that tied the score at 60-60 with about five minutes left in the period. Cameron Johnson, Jokic, and Murray all made 3-pointers during that stretch. Conversely, Houston missed nine consecutive shots and committed two turnovers. Their only points in that span came from two free throws by Durant.

Houston regained control late in the third quarter when Tari Eason scored the team's first field goal in more than six and a half minutes. That basket started an 11-2 run that gave the Rockets a 71-62 lead at the start of the fourth.

Denver attempted a comeback in the final minutes. Murray cut the lead to six points with about five minutes remaining by making two free throws. However, Christian Braun missed two free throws, and Houston answered with baskets from Sengun and Amen Thompson to make it 100-90 with four minutes left.

The Nuggets visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. The Rockets will host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.