Rockets Advance To Summer League Championship Following Win Over Jazz

Nate Hinton scores 27 points in the Las Vegas Summer League Semifinals to lead the Houston Rockets to a blowout win over the Jazz.

Former University of Houston guard Nate Hinton scored a game-high 27 points, five rebounds and three assists Sunday evening to lead the Houston Rockets to a 115-101 victory against the Utah Jazz inside the Thomas & Mack Center.

After defeating the Jazz in the semifinals, the Rockets have advanced to the 2023 Las Vegas Summer League championship and will face the 5-0 Cleveland Cavaliers Monday night. Tip-off between the Rockets and Cavaliers is slated for 8 P.M. CT.

The Rockets came into the semifinals as arguably the best offensive team of the summer tournament, averaging 109.0 points while shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from behind the arc.

But Houston struggled to sustain their offensive production during the first seven minutes. The Jazz jumped out to a 14-8 first-quarter lead due to the Rockets shooting 3-of-16 from the floor, 2-for-11 from deep. 

The Rockets took their first lead of the game early in the second quarter following a layup attempt by Trevor Hudgins. Two possessions later, Houston held a 24-21 lead over the Jazz after Hinton drilled a 3-point field goal with 8 minutes and 37 seconds left in the quarter.

Behind an 11-point period by Hinton, the Rockets held a 49-37 lead entering the halftime break. Houston created separation against Utah by going on a 12-3 run midway through the second quarter.

The Rockets held their largest lead of the game with 2 minutes and 52 seconds left in the third quarter. Jermaine Samuels connected on a dunk attempt to push Houston ahead 73-59. 

The Jazz ended the period on a 13-6 run to cut into Houston's lead entering the fourth quarter (79-72). But due to several timely shots made by rookie Cam Whitmore, Utah fell short of their comeback attempt during the fourth quarter. Whitmore finished with 25 points, four rebounds and two blocks. 

The Jazz, although shorthanded, sustained their first loss of the Summer League tournament. Keshawn Justice, Micah Potter and Colbey Ross scored 20 points apiece.

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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