On March 4, Beijing time, the Thunder defeated the Rockets 137-128 at home, and the two teams met 4 times this season, with the Thunder winning 3-1. Alexander scored 51 points and scored 50+ for the fourth time in his career. The Rockets played in the last game, with VanVleet, Eason, Shin Jing, Amen, and Dillon all absent. Shepard started for the first time in his career, scoring 25 points and 5 assists, setting a career-high score. Whitmore started his first game of the season and finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds, tying his career record. Dent, who made his NBA debut, had 10 points and nine rebounds. The Thunder have won 50 games this season in just 61 games.

Statistics

Rockets: Whitmore 27 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks, Shepard 25 points, 5 assists and 2 steals, Jalen Green 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, Jabari Smith Jr. 11 points and 8 rebounds, Aaron Holiday 14 points and 4 three-pointers, Landale 6 points and 3 rebounds, Dent 10 points and 9 rebounds

Thunder: Alexander 51 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists, Jalen Williams 24 points, Holmgren 11 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks, Dort 11 points, Hatten 8 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, Carson Wallace 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, Aaron Wiggins 8 points and 7 rebounds, Kenway 7 points and 7 rebounds.

The star of the game

Alexander played well to help the Thunder beat the Rockets at home to make it four wins in a row.

Game recap

In the first quarter, Whitmore scored a rebound and also sent a dunk, and the Rockets opened the game 7-4. Alexander hit back-to-back shots, Holmgren scored inside, and the Thunder overtook the Rockets. Jalen Green made a layup, Shepard and Landale also hit shots, Aaron Holiday hit a three-pointer and the Rockets went on a 13-2 run to stop the Thunder. Whitmore dunked the ball, Alexander hit a three-pointer, and Jalen Green returned the favor from the outside. Alexander was in hot form, scoring seven points in a row on an inside and outside shot to narrow the gap to one point. At the end of the first quarter, the Rockets led the Thunder 31-30, and Alexander scored 20 points in a single quarter.

In the second quarter, Shepard scored on a mid-range shot, Nate Williams hit a layup, Jabari Smith Jr. scored two straight shots, and Shepard hit a three-point shot, and the Rockets went on an 11-3 run to lead the Thunder by nine points. Kenway and Wallace hit three points in a row, Jalen Williams countered with a dunk and hit a three-pointer, and the Thunder responded with a 17-4 offensive climax and overtook the Rockets. Jeff Green hit a three-pointer, and Alexander and Whitmore hit a layup. At halftime, the Thunder led the Rockets 63-62. Alexander has scored 28 points, and the Rockets have three in double figures, with Jalen Green 12, Shepard 11 and Whitmore 10.

Yibian fought again, Jabari Smith Jr. hit a three-point shot, Holmgren dunked in the air, Jalen Green scored in a shot, Alexander scored 4 points in a row, Jalen Williams hit a three-point shot, Hatten dunked in the air, Jalen Green was whistled for a technical foul, Alexander also hit a three-point shot, and the Thunder blasted out a wave of 13-0. Whitmore and Aaron Holiday hit back-to-back three-pointers to cut the gap to nine points. Alexander continued to hit a three-pointer. At the end of the third quarter, the Thunder led the Rockets 102-89, and Alexander scored another 17 points in a single quarter.

In the final quarter, Wiggins hit a three-point shot, Dante dunked 2+1 in the air, Shepard scored on a mid-range shot, and Jalen Williams hit a three-point shot, giving the Thunder a 16-point lead. Shepard burst out and scored eight points in a row, Whitmore completed a dunk and also scored four points in a row, and the Rockets narrowed the gap to six points. Dort hit back-to-back three-pointers to pull the gap away again. Shepard hit a mid-range shot, Dent scored four straight points, and McVeigh hit a three-pointer. Alexander scored more than 50 points, Shepard hit another shot, and finally the Thunder beat the Rockets.

Both sides start

Rockets: Shepard, Jalen Green, Whitmore, Jabari Smith Jr., Landale

Thunder: Alexander, Dort, Jalen Williams, Holmgren, Hartenstein