Houston Rockets guards Patrick Beverley (2) and James Harden argue a call in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Houston. Utah won 115-108. AP
HOUSTON, United States — Rudy Gobert and Gordon Hayward led the offensive charge as the Utah Jazz claimed the season series against the Houston Rockets with a 115-108 NBA victory on Wednesday.
The Jazz improved to 41-24 on the season and closed to within three games of the third seed in the Western Conference standings.
Gobert tallied a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds in front of a crowd of 16,200 at the Toyota Center arena. Hayward delivered several clutch jumpers en route to 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists for Utah, which stretched its winning streak to four games.
The Rockets were held back by a lack of shooting as they made just eight of 32 attempts from three point range. Utah on the other hand hit 12 or 31 from beyond the arc.
After cutting a 13-point deficit to three points in the third quarter, the Rockets finished the period shooting one of nine on three-pointers and five of 13 from the free-throw line.
While Houston clawed to within four down the stretch, its defense failed repeatedly in stopping the Jazz.
Guard James Harden led the Rockets with 35 points and six assists, while center Clint Capela added a double-double (19 points, 12 boards). Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell came off the bench to score 12 each.
Both Gobert (10) and Rodney Hood (12) reached double figures by the intermission as Utah stretched its 30-22 lead entering the second quarter to 11 points by the break. CBB