ROCKETS 101, JAZZ 85: Kyle Lowry scored 32 points and matched a career-high with seven 3-pointers as host Houston handed Utah its eighth loss in 11 games.

Lowry made 7-of-8 3-pointers and had nine assists for the Rockets, who also received 26 points and nine rebounds from Luis Scola.

Al Jefferson had 23 points and 11 rebounds and Paul Millsap scored 22 points for Utah, which dropped to 3-10 on the road.

Lowry had two 3-pointers during Houston’s game-ending 21-7 run after the Rockets staved off a Jazz rally.

The game was tied midway through the third quarter before Houston created some distance. The Rockets closed the quarter on a 7-1 run and Courtney Lee’s 3-pointer gave Houston a 72-64 edge entering the final stanza.

Lowry connected on his fifth 3-pointer to give the Rockets a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter and Kevin Martin’s hoop gave the Rockets an 80-67 advantage with just over nine minutes left.

Millsap then scored eight consecutive points and Raja Bell drained a straight-away 3-pointer to pull the Jazz within two with 5:45 remaining. Lowry hit another 3-pointer to end Houston’s dry spell and start the decisive game-ending run.

Utah led 46-45 at halftime despite the fact Lowry had 18 first-half points and hit all four of his 3-point attempts.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Houston rookie Greg Smith made his NBA debut and blocked four shots in 11 minutes after being recalled from the D-League to replace injured forward Jordan Hill (knee). … Utah didn’t attempt a single free-throw attempt in the first half. … Patrick Patterson started at center in replace of Samuel Dalembert after the Rockets were dominated inside by the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. … Jazz forward Gordon Hayward had just four points and has scored only 17 points over the last four games.