Surging Rockets survive Jokic's triple-double to stun Nuggets

LOS ANGELES – The resurgent Houston Rockets powered to a sixth straight NBA victory on Sunday (Monday Manila time), withstanding a 36-point triple-double from Denver's Nikola Jokic in a 107-104 win over the Nuggets.

Fred VanVleet scored 26 points and Turkish center Alperen Sengun added 23 for the Rockets, who improved to 6-3 in the young campaign after amassing just 22 victories last season.

Jokic's fourth triple-double of the season included 21 rebounds and 11 assists and Denver led 76-74 going into the final period, which featured three lead changes.

Jokic drained a 3-pointer with 19.5 seconds left to cut the Rockets' lead to 103-102, but VanVleet made a pair of free throws and Jae'Sean Tate came up with a steal as Denver attempted to inbound the ball and Houston held on.