Nene's clutch free throws and season-high 18 points key in Rockets win over Thunder

Posted: January 5, 2017 -- 10:41 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets continue finding ways to win basketball games this season. Tonight, a season-high 18 points -- including the game-winning free throws -- from Nene helped the Rockets defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 118-116, in front of an announced sellout crowd of 18.055 fans.

James Harden scored 26 points and Eric Gordon scored 22 points off the bench.

With 3.8 seconds remaining in the game and a 116 tie score, Eric Gordon threw an inbounds pass into James Harden. Harden was double-teamed; but, Harden made a great pass to a wide-open Nene in the paint. Nene attacked the basket and was fouled with 0.7 seconds remaining.

Nene sank both free throws.

The Thunder called two, 20-second time-outs to set up a final play. Big man Enes Kanter caught the inbounds pass and tipped the ball to the rim; but, the shot was short which gave the Rockets the win and six-straight victories.

The Rockets (28-9) improve to 8-2 in games decided by four or fewer points this season after going 11-10 in the 2015-'16 season.

Russell Westbrook was on fire in the first quarter. Westbrook scored 15 points in the opening quarter on 6 of 7 field goal shooting (3 for 3 threes). James Harden scored 13 points to nearly match Westbrook.

The Rockets trailed the Thunder 38-33 after the 1st period.

With Harden on the bench resting in the second quarter, Eric Gordon carried the scoring. Gordon scored 13 points in the quarter (6 of 11 field goals 3 for 4 threes). The Rockets limited the Thunder to 29.2% (7 for 24) field goal shooting in the quarter while making 50.0% (11 for 22) from the floor.

The Rockets outscored the Thunder 34-18 in the second quarter and led 67-56 at halftime.

Westbrook scored 14 points in the third quarter; but, the Rockets' balanced scoring (7 Rockets scored in the third) won the quarter 30-27 to take a 14 point lead (97-83) into the final quarter.

Westbrook scored 40 points through three quarters; but, the Rockets still led by 14.

The Rockets' frigid field goal shooting in the fourth period (28.6%) allowed the Thunder to erase the Rockets' big lead. The Rockets trailed 116-114 with 1:55 on the game clock.

Harden was fouled by Anthony Roberson with 1:48 remaining. Harden made both free throws to tie the game. Neither team scored until Nene's game-winning free throws with 0.7 seconds remaining.

Despite a painful wrist, Patrick Beverley was huge for the Rockets down the stretch. Beverley tipped a pass to teammate Montrezl Harrell for a layup. Plus, Beverley saved a ball from out of bounds when he regained his feet inbounds and passed the ball off of Roberson and out of bounds.

"He (Beverley) just plays the game for all the right reasons and plays as hard as he can," Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni said after the game. "And, made threes today with a wrist that was killing him."

After missing the previous two games, Beverley scored 11 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Beverley has scored in double-digits in each of his past five games played.

James Harden's 26 points and 12 assists mark his 15th straight double-double which ties the longest streak by any player since the start of the 2011-'12 season. Over that 15-game span, Harden is averaging 27.9 points, 12.6 assists, and 9.1 rebounds.

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