Houston Rockets beat Utah Jazz 100-93

Houston, March 21 (IANS)

HOUSTON, TX – MARCH 20: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets looks to pass over Alec Burks #10 and Jamaal Tinsley #6 of the Utah Jazz at Toyota Center on March 20, 2013 in Houston, Texas.

The Houston Rockets emerged triumphant after a 100-93 win over the Utah Jazz in NBA action at the Toyota Center here.

The Rockets held the Jazz to under 20 points in each of the first two quarters, for a 52-33 lead at the break, but in the fourth quarter, the Rockets managed just four points in the first six minutes, while the Jazz reeled off 13, to get within 10, 74-84 Wednesday night, reports Xinhua.

Scores from Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward put the Jazz within further striking distance, 88-93, with 1 minute and 29 seconds left. But James Harden and Jeremy Lin put the game away at the foul line, going 7-of-8 from the stripe in the final 1:15 of play.

Harden led all scorers of the Rockets, with 29 points. Lin scored 24. Another Rocket player in double figures was Chandler Parsons, who accounted for 10.

The win improved the Rockets’ card to 37-31, for the seventh spot in the West Conference.