Jazz 108 - 110 Rockets
Final
  for this game

Lowry's triple-double helps Rockets edge Jazz

Mar 21, 2011 - 5:35 AM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Kyle Lowry scored 28 points in his first career triple-double, helping the Houston Rockets hold on for a 110-108 victory against the Utah Jazz.

Lowry also had 11 rebounds and 10 assists, while Kevin Martin drilled all 18 of his free throws, sinking many of them down the stretch to cement the Rockets' fourth consecutive victory.

Martin ended with 34 points, while Patrick Patterson added 14 points and 13 boards in the win.

Paul Millsap returned from a five-game absence to pour in 35 points and grab 10 rebounds, but the Jazz couldn't pull out their third straight win. Al Jefferson had 17 points and 19 boards.

"It was great to have him back," Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin said of Millsap, who was out with a knee injury. "Paul was tremendous on both ends of the court, both offensively and defensively."

The Rockets led for almost all of the fourth quarter, but not by much. However, they gained some key separation by scoring seven of nine points during one stretch late in the period.

Lowry's three-point play with 2:09 left capped the surge to make it a 98-90 contest.

C.J. Miles then followed with a three-pointer for the Jazz, starting a late scoring barrage. But despite Utah's shooting success in the final minutes, it couldn't pull even because of Houston's flawless foul shooting performance. The Rockets made 12-of-12 free throws in the final 50.2 seconds.

"The intensity of that game was very competitive and it seemed like no one wanted to give in," Lowry said. "We definitely didn't, and they definitely didn't. They fought down to the last seconds."

Lowry poured in 10 points during the first quarter to help the Rockets get out to a 30-19 lead, and they continued to roll in the second frame, leading the entire 12 minutes.

Martin netted 12 points in the quarter, and Houston was up by as many as 12 in the period. However, a late surge helped Utah stay within 55-47 at the break.

The Jazz rallied to pull even in the third. A Jefferson layup, followed by Millsap's three-point play with 6:46 on the clock, knotted the game at 65.

But the Jazz couldn't move in front, and the Rockets carried a 77-75 edge into the fourth.

Millsap opened the final quarter with a jumper, but Patterson followed with a putback, and Houston led the rest of the way.

Game Notes

Lowry and Patterson recorded career highs in rebounds...Jefferson matched a season high in boards...Miles ended with 19 points for Utah...Houston made 36- of-41 free throws overall.






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