The Rockets own the league's No. 2 defense for the season, though they were short-handed Saturday without Thompson and Eason. In their absence, Smith and Dillon Brooks did much of the heavy lifting.

HOUSTON -- The Rockets entered Saturday at 6-9 on night two of back-to-backs this season ... including 11 in the game's final six minutes on 4-of-6 shooting (66.7%). His offensive rebound and ...

Houston (43-25) has now won six straight, overall, and is at to No. 2 in the Western Conference standings after Denver's late-night loss. The Rockets are now 25-10 at Toyota Center this season ...