Rockets at Thunder
The Houston Rockets have a spectacular long-range shooting performance to follow up when they visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. Houston broke its own NBA record by making 27 3-pointers in Sunday's 149-113 home victory over the Phoenix Suns.
The Rockets made 26 3-pointers twice this season - including against the Sacramento Kings on April 2 - before Austin Rivers hit the record-breaking one to cap the 27-of-57 showing in the triumph over Phoenix. "When we were looking at the board and saw we had 26 of them, we were finally happy to get over the hump," Houston forward Danuel House Jr. told reporters. "We got 26 a few games ago. Just to hit that 3 to get over the hump was huge. Austin nailed the shot. I expect a new poster to be coming out." The Thunder, who are looking to land the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference over the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers, have won three straight games after recording a 132-126 road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Star guard Russell Westbrook registered 27 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds for his 32nd triple-double of the season and 136th of his career.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT, FS Oklahoma
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (53-28): Houston has won six straight games and 17 of its last 20 contests and has moved within a half-game of the Denver Nuggets in the battle for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Shooting guard Eric Gordon matched his career high of eight 3-pointers against the Suns while star guard James Harden was 5-of-6 from behind the while scoring 30 points. Harden is averaging 34 points in three games against the Thunder this season, topping 40 on two occasions.
ABOUT THE THUNDER (47-33): Backup guard Dennis Schroder helped fuel Sunday's win over Minnesota by scoring 14 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter. "He's a starter anywhere else," star small forward Paul George told reporters of Schroder. "He's a big talent. It's a pleasure for us, myself especially as a shooter, to have a guy come in, step in and lift the group when we need baskets the most." George scored 27 points against the Timberwolves and has tallied 25 or more in 11 of the past 13 contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. George averaged 31 points and 12 rebounds as the Thunder won two of the first three meetings with the Rockets.
2. Assistant Jeff Bzdelik has guided Houston the past two games with coach Mike D'Antoni (stomach flu) ailing.
3. Oklahoma City F Jerami Grant is averaging 16.5 points over the past six games.