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The Houston Rockets defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 113–102 on April 9 at Toyota Center, with Kevin Durant leading Houston's offense on 29 points while Jalen Smith Jr. contributed 19 in a balanced attack. Tyrese Maxey paced Philadelphia with 24 points and Val Edgecombe added 20, but the 76ers' scoring proved insufficient against Houston's defensive intensity. The Rockets shot 45.2 percent from the field and made 11 three-pointers, while holding Philadelphia to 44.7 percent shooting despite matching the 76ers' three-point output. Houston's defense was particularly stifling in the third quarter, when the Rockets held Philadelphia to just 17 points—a decisive 10-point swing that proved decisive down the stretch. Both teams committed turnovers at similar rates (Houston 15, Philadelphia 16), but Houston's 109.2 offensive rating outpaced Philadelphia's 101.9, and the Rockets' 101.9 defensive rating clamped down on the visitors. The combined 215 points fell well short of the Vegas total line of 226.5, reflecting a sluggish second half. Houston's defensive dominance in the final two quarters suggests the Rockets are hitting their stride as the regular season enters its critical final stretch.