Rockets rout the Thunder 116-89 and the Knicks hold off the Raptors 122-120 in preseason

Houston put on a show against the team that most NBA general managers see as a title contender.

The Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-89 in a preseason game at Toyota Center on Thursday night. Houston jumped out to a 33-15 lead after one quarter and never let Oklahoma City back in it.

Rockets share the ball

Houston finished with 34 assists and 13 steals and turned the ball over just eight times. Bogdan Bogdanović led the way with 15 points off the bench and made five of his eight 3-point tries.

Alperen Şengün added 14 points with seven rebounds and five assists. Amen Thompson and Tari Eason scored 12 each. Kevin Durant had 11 points in 16 minutes and Reed Sheppard also scored 11. Fred VanVleet dished out eight assists.

A cold night for the Thunder

Oklahoma City made just 5 of 36 shots from 3-point range and committed 17 turnovers. Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 18 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 in 26 minutes.

Knicks edge Raptors at the Garden

In New York the Knicks beat the Toronto Raptors 122-120 at Madison Square Garden. It came two nights after Toronto routed New York 148-98 in Kawhi Leonard's first game back with the Raptors.

Jalen Brunson scored 20 points with seven assists. Karl-Anthony Towns had 13 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. Andre Drummond added 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting off the bench.

Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 23 points and four blocks. RJ Barrett scored 21 and Immanuel Quickley added 18. Leonard finished with six points in 23 minutes. The Raptors won the fourth quarter 41-35 but could not quite catch up.

The regular season opens Tuesday.