The Houston Rockets have continued their unbeaten start to the 2014-15 NBA season with a 98-81 win over the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center.
The champions struggled to contain Dwight Howard from the start, allowing the center to add 20 points in the first half and finish the game with 32 points.
The Spurs made a slow start, failing to get on the scoreboards for six minutes, although they did add a string of baskets late in the first quarter to leave themselves just three down after 12 minutes.
However, Howard and James Harden ensured that the points kept coming for Houston, opening up a 16-point gap by half time, while continuing to increase the advantage at the start of the third.
The visitors rested several of their regular starters, including Tiago Splitter, who was struggling with a tight calf, while Tony Parker was restricted to just six points.
Cory Joseph came off the bench for a 22-minute stint, finishing with a team-high 18 points, the majority of which came after the Rockets had all but sealed the victory.
The Rockets' 6-0 start to the season leaves them with the best record in the NBA, while the Spurs slide to 2-2.
Sian Cowper
