Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert dunks the ball against the Houston Rockets during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Houston. The Jazz won 132-127 in overtime. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
HOUSTON (AP) — Donovan Mitchell had 37 points and Mike Conley scored nine points in overtime to help the Utah Jazz outlast the Houston Rockets 132-127 Wednesday night.
Rudy Gobert had 27 points and 17 rebounds as the Jazz won their third straight and ninth in the last 10 games.
Jalen Green scored 27 for the Rockets and Christian Wood had 24 points and 10 rebounds as their skid stretched to 11 games.
The Rockets were up by four points after making four free throws to start overtime before Mitchell had a three-point play, followed by a 3-pointer to put Utah up 123-121 with three minutes left.
The Rockets got a three-point play from Kevin Porter Jr. to regain the lead, but Conley made 3-pointers on consecutive possession to give Utah a 129-124 lead with just more than a minute left in OT.
“Shots weren’t falling for me throughout the game, so to get opportunities there late and to make those plays down the stretch … felt great to be able to deliver,” Conley said.
The Jazz missed three free throws before Conley made one to push the lead to six points. Green made a 3-pointer for Houston’s first points in two minutes that to cut the lead to 130-127, but Conley made two more free throws to secure the victory.
“To be down four at the start of OT and come back and win, that’s not lost on me and shouldn’t be lost on anybody,” coach Quin Snyder said.
The game was tied when Mitchell dished to Conley as he fell to the ground in the lane, and Conley knocked down a corner 3 to put Utah up 117-114 with 8.3 seconds to go in the fourth. Wood then made a desperation 28-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer of regulation to send it to OT.
Snyder loved the way Conley and Mitchell worked together late in the game.
“Those two guys playing off each other like that is a real strength,” he said.
The Jazz had a big lead in the fourth quarter before the Rockets used a 12-2 run to get back in it and set up the exciting finish.
“This team has a lot of fight and a lot of character and a lot of grit, and we’re learning,” coach Stephen Silas said. “It’s unfortunate that we lost the game, but that’s really the only unfortunate part of tonight.”
The Jazz were up by six points with about three minutes to go before Houston used a 6-1 run, with the first five points from Wood, to cut the lead to 113-112 with about a minute remaining. Porter made one of two free throws after Wood’s work.
Mitchell made 1 of 2 free throws after that before Porter drove into the lane for a layup to tie it with 34.1 seconds to go.
Utah had a 14-point lead after a basket by Mitchell with about 6 ½ minutes to go before the Rockets scored the next seven points, capped by a two-handed slam from Green, to get within 106-99.
Jordan Clarkson made two free throws for the Jazz and Kenyon Martin hit a 3-pointer for the Rockets before Gobert drew an offensive foul. Wood made a dunk a few seconds later to get Houston within 108-104 and spur Snyder to call a timeout with about 4 ½ minutes to go.
TIP-INS
Jazz: Conley finished with 15 points and eight assists. … Clarkson had 14 points. … Utah made 15 of 42 3s.
Rockets: Dennis Schroder sat out after spraining his right ankle Tuesday night. … Eric Gordon missed the game with groin soreness. … Jae’Sean Tate didn’t return after halftime because of a sore left ankle. … Alperen Sengun fouled out with about eight minutes remaining. … Porter had 16 points and 12 assists.
THEY SAID IT
Silas on his team forcing overtime after trailing by as many as 18 points Wednesday: “This group is something to be really proud of as a coach, as a fan, as someone who follows the Rockets.”
UP NEXT
Jazz: Visit New Orleans on Friday night.
Rockets: Visit Denver on Friday night.