Rockets win back-and-forth battle with Spurs

Fred VanVleet scored 21 points to head a balanced Houston attack and help the short-handed Rockets rally for a 103-101 victory over the host San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.

The Spurs lost both halves of a home back-to-back, which began a season-high eight-game homestand. Houston won its fourth straight road game, establishing a season best.

Houston trailed 85-82 with 8:58 to play before fashioning an 11-0 run, capped by a dunk by Jock Landale to take a 93-85 lead with 6:19 remaining. San Antonio rallied to within 99-98 after Jeremy Sochan's three-point play with 18.5 seconds left.

The Rockets' Jalen Green then canned a pair of free throws with 7.8 seconds to play, and Houston fouled Tre Jones, giving him two free throws rather than allowing hm to attempt a tying 3-pointer. Jones converted both, and after Houston took a timeout, the Spurs fouled Aaron Holiday, who made two more free throws with 4.1 seconds to play.

Green added 16 points for Houston, followed by Jabari Smith Jr. (15), Dillon Brooks (14) and Landale 11. The Rockets played without star forward Alperen Sengun, who is out indefinitely after sustaining right knee and ankle injuries on Saturday in a win in Sacramento.

Jones' 24 points led all scorers, while Jeremy Sochan hit for 21. Victor Wembanyama had 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and Julian Champagnie and Blake Wesley added 10 points each.

The Spurs forging an 18-8 lead after a layup by Jones at the 6:25 mark of the first quarter. Houston whittled away at the deficit, pulling to within two points multiple times and trailing 30-24 at the end of the period.

Green's 3-pointer with 7:12 to play in the second quarter granted the Rockets a 32-30 lead. San Antonio missed its first six shots and had three turnovers over the first five minutes of the period. The Spurs swung back and rebuilt a five-point lead. They used a pair of free throws by Champagnie with 26 seconds left to carry a 47-44 lead into the break.

Jones led all scorers with 18 points before halftime and was the only Spurs' player in double figures. VanVleet led Houston with 12.