Eason takes over in first half as Rockets topple Nets 137-109 in first win of KD era

After coming up on the wrong end of nail-biters in their first two games of the season, the Houston Rockets were anxious to get one in the W column.

They did just that Monday night, blowing out the Brooklyn Nets, 137-109.

Tari Eason led the Rockets in scoring, finishing with 22 points. He scored 20 in the first half, knocking down five of his first six three-pointers to provide some much needed offense off the bench.

Durant also had a strong showing, scoring 19 points despite sitting for most of the second half because of the team’s massive lead on the scoreboard.

Terance Mann led the Nets in scoring, finishing with 21.

The teams went back-and-forth from the opening tip, until Houston forced some separation in the latter half of the opening quarter. After Brooklyn’s Day’Ron Sharpe brought the Nets within two, the Rockets ended the period with 15 unanswered points on the board. Eason knocked down back-to-back threes as the Rockets led 42-25 after the first.

The Nets fought back in the second quarter, but the Rockets did their part on offense to keep the advantage. Durant splashed a driving floater in the closing seconds of the half, as Houston went into the half with a 71-60 lead.

At the half, Eason led the team with 20 points including five three-pointers on just six shot attempts. Durant was the only other Rocket in double figures at the break, putting up 12 points.

Houston came out of the locker room with a purpose, starting the second half on a 14-4 scoring run. Durant was consistently finding his spots and attacking the midrange, but he went to the bench after picking up his fourth whistle on a controversial offensive foul that was confirmed after a review.

Even with KD off the floor for a chunk of the third, Houston stayed in the driver’s seat and took a 103-77 lead into the final period.

Nursing such a comfortable lead, Houston sported a mixture of starters and bench players in the fourth quarter. Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun got minutes, but Clint Capela, Josh Okogie and Reed Sheppard also saw some action.

Sheppard knocked down a pair of treys to make it a 120-91 ballgame, making the Toyota Center go crazy and triggering a Nets timeout.

Both teams fully emptied their benches down the stretch, and Houston gave some of their younger guys some game reps. At the final buzzer, the Rockets had secured a 137-109 win.

The win lifted the Rockets to 1-2 on the season, while the Nets fell to 0-4.

Next up, the Rockets will hit the road to take on the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 29. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.