Durant’s 11-Point First Quarter Puts Houston Up Eight

Houston seized the early edge Monday, taking a 32-24 lead over Denver after the first quarter. Kevin Durant led the charge with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting, adding five rebounds and a plus-8 mark in 12 minutes. The Rockets outscored the Nuggets by eight in the frame, while Jamal Murray supplied seven points for Denver and Nikola Jokic had six points and four assists. Houston enters at 7-3 with the No. 8 power index; Denver is 5-3 and ranked No. 14.