NBA · Final

Rockets Defeat Nets 120-96 at Barclays Center

120

Thursday, January 1, 2026, 6:00 PM ET · Barclays Center

Houston Rockets 120, Brooklyn Nets 96, final. Our NBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Houston Rockets vs Brooklyn Nets?

Houston Rockets beat Brooklyn Nets 120-96 at Barclays Center on January 1, 2026.

Who was favored in Houston Rockets vs Brooklyn Nets?

Houston Rockets were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -600 (about 86% implied). The favorite won.

The Houston Rockets secured a decisive victory over the Brooklyn Nets, winning 120-96 at Barclays Center. This win extends Houston's dominance over Brooklyn in their season series, now leading 3-0 after previously winning both earlier matchups this season. In their last ten games, the Rockets have shown a mixed form with a record of 5-5, but they are currently riding a three-game winning streak, averaging 118.6 points scored while allowing 116.5. In contrast, the Nets have a record of 6-4 in their last ten games, but they have lost their last match against the Golden State Warriors, averaging 111.5 points scored and 104.8 points allowed during this stretch.

At home, the Nets have a record of 3-3 in their last six games, while they have performed better away with a 3-1 record. The Rockets, on the other hand, have a strong away record of 3-0 in their last three games but have struggled with a 2-5 record in away games overall. This fixture was particularly interesting as both teams were dealing with injury concerns. For Brooklyn, Nolan Traore was listed as day-to-day due to a knee issue. Houston faced uncertainty as well with Kevin Durant, Fred VanVleet, and Steven Adams all day-to-day due to ankle and knee injuries.

The odds provided by DraftKings indicated Houston as heavy favorites, with a spread of 13.5 points and a total set at 217.5. The home moneyline for the Nets was priced at 440.0, while the away moneyline for the Rockets was significantly lower at -600. This context highlighted the market's expectations for the game, reflecting Houston's strong performance throughout the season.

The game conditions were typical for a January evening in Brooklyn, with both teams looking to capitalize on their respective strengths. As the game unfolded, viewers witnessed key scoring plays that defined the Rockets' offensive strategy. Kevin Durant made a notable 25-foot three-pointer in the fourth quarter, contributing to Houston's commanding lead. Alperen Sengun also made significant contributions with multiple scoring plays, including a driving dunk and layup, showcasing the Rockets' ability to penetrate the Nets' defense.

The scoring continued with contributions from Jalen Wilson and Jae'Sean Tate, who helped seal the game for Houston. The Nets struggled to keep pace, ultimately unable to recover from the early deficit. The final score reflected the Rockets' superior performance, emphasizing their current form and ability to execute under pressure. As the game concluded, the Nets faced the reality of their season, while the Rockets continued to build momentum heading into the next phase of their schedule.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	HOU -13.5	217.5 o -105 / u -115	Houston Rockets -600 · Brooklyn Nets +440

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Injury report

Nolan TraoreDay-To-DayKneeBrooklyn Nets
Kevin DurantDay-To-DayAnkleHouston Rockets
Fred VanVleetDay-To-DayKneeHouston Rockets
Steven AdamsDay-To-DayAnkleHouston Rockets

Leaders

PointsCam Thomas21Brooklyn Nets
AssistsDay'Ron Sharpe7Brooklyn Nets
ReboundsNic Claxton8Brooklyn Nets
PointsAmen Thompson23Houston Rockets
AssistsKevin Durant11Houston Rockets
ReboundsTari Eason9Houston Rockets

Recent form

Brooklyn Nets

Last 10: 6-4Streak L1111.5 scored · 104.8 allowed per game3-3 at home

L107-120vs Golden State WarriorsDec 30
W123-107at Minnesota TimberwolvesDec 28
W114-106at Philadelphia 76ersDec 24
W96-81vs Toronto RaptorsDec 21
L95-106vs Miami HeatDec 19
W127-82vs Milwaukee BucksDec 14
L111-119at Dallas MavericksDec 13
W119-101vs New Orleans PelicansDec 6
L110-123vs Utah JazzDec 5
W113-103at Chicago BullsDec 4

Houston Rockets

Last 10: 5-5Streak W3118.6 scored · 116.5 allowed per game2-5 away

W126-119vs Indiana PacersDec 30
W117-100vs Cleveland CavaliersDec 28
W119-96at Los Angeles LakersDec 26
L108-128at LA ClippersDec 24
L124-125at Sacramento KingsDec 22
W115-101at Denver NuggetsDec 20
L128-133at New Orleans PelicansDec 19
L125-128at Denver NuggetsDec 16
W115-113vs LA ClippersDec 12
L109-122at Dallas MavericksDec 7

Standings

Team	Games behind	Lost	Streak	Win %	Won
San Antonio	-	20	L1	.756	62
Houston	10	30	W1	.634	52
New Orleans	36	56	L2	.317	26
Dallas	36	56	W1	.317	26
Memphis	37	57	L8	.305	25
Boston	-	26	W2	.683	56
New York	3	29	L1	.646	53
Toronto	10	36	W1	.561	46
Philadelphia	11	37	W2	.549	45
Brooklyn	36	62	L3	.244	20

Box score

Stat	Houston Rockets	Brooklyn Nets
Field goals	47-82	34-76
Field goal %	57	45
Three-pointers	12-29	10-30
Three-point %	41	33
Free throws	14-18	18-30
Free throw %	78	60
Rebounds	45	27
Offensive rebounds	13	10
Defensive rebounds	32	17
Assists	28	18
Steals	8	12
Blocks	7	2
Turnovers	14	13
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	1	1
Technical fouls, total	1	1
Flagrant fouls	1	0
Points off turnovers	14	23
Fast-break points	20	14
Points in the paint	52	46
Fouls	22	17
Largest lead	26	0
Lead changes	0	0
Time in front	99	0

How the scoring went

3rd Quarter79-56Kevin Durant makes technical free throw
3rd Quarter81-56Tari Eason makes driving layup
3rd Quarter81-57Nic Claxton makes free throw 1 of 2
3rd Quarter81-59Nic Claxton makes driving layup
3rd Quarter83-59Tari Eason makes 19-foot step back jumpshot (Kevin Durant assists)
3rd Quarter83-61Cam Thomas makes 16-foot step back jumpshot (Nic Claxton assists)
3rd Quarter85-61Amen Thompson makes 11-foot driving floating jump shot
3rd Quarter86-61Amen Thompson makes free throw 1 of 1
3rd Quarter86-63Cam Thomas makes 5-foot driving floating jump shot (Day'Ron Sharpe assists)
3rd Quarter88-63Amen Thompson makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Alperen Sengun assists)
3rd Quarter88-64Jalen Wilson makes free throw 2 of 2
3rd Quarter90-64Alperen Sengun makes driving layup (Jae'Sean Tate assists)
3rd Quarter90-67Cam Thomas makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot (Day'Ron Sharpe assists)
4th Quarter92-67Alperen Sengun makes 14-foot fade away jump shot
4th Quarter92-69Cam Thomas makes 10-foot floating jump shot (Day'Ron Sharpe assists)
4th Quarter94-69Jabari Smith Jr. makes 16-foot turnaround jump shot
4th Quarter94-71Noah Clowney makes 1-foot dunk (Day'Ron Sharpe assists)
4th Quarter97-71Amen Thompson makes 24-foot three pointer
4th Quarter97-72Noah Clowney makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter97-75Cam Thomas makes 25-foot running pullup jump shot
4th Quarter99-75Reed Sheppard makes 11-foot driving floating jump shot
4th Quarter99-78Cam Thomas makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot
4th Quarter100-78Tari Eason makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter102-78Tari Eason makes 9-foot turnaround jump shot
4th Quarter102-81Jalen Wilson makes 25-foot three point jumper (Day'Ron Sharpe assists)
4th Quarter102-84Tyrese Martin makes 23-foot three point jumper (Day'Ron Sharpe assists)
4th Quarter104-84Kevin Durant makes 12-foot two point shot
4th Quarter105-84Kevin Durant makes free throw 1 of 1
4th Quarter105-86Drake Powell makes running layup
4th Quarter108-86Kevin Durant makes 23-foot three point jumper (Amen Thompson assists)
4th Quarter108-89Nolan Traore makes 24-foot turnaround jump shot
4th Quarter108-92Danny Wolf makes 26-foot three point jumper (Nolan Traore assists)
4th Quarter111-92Kevin Durant makes 25-foot three pointer
4th Quarter111-94Drake Powell makes 1-foot dunk (Danny Wolf assists)
4th Quarter113-94Alperen Sengun makes driving dunk (Amen Thompson assists)
4th Quarter115-94Alperen Sengun makes driving layup (Kevin Durant assists)
4th Quarter115-95Jalen Wilson makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter115-96Jalen Wilson makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter117-96Jae'Sean Tate makes two point shot
4th Quarter120-96Aaron Holiday makes 23-foot three point jumper (JD Davison assists)