Australian star Josh Giddey matched his career high in the NBA with 31 points for Oklahoma City, but it was Houston who made off with the points after grabbing a six-point overtime win.
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Giddey was outstanding in the absence of star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league's No.3 scorer who averages 30.4 points and missed Wednesday's match because of a bruised right thigh.
But the Rockets prevailed 132-126 in the end, thanks to Jalen Green scoring 37 points to lead his team to a 10th-straight win.
Amen Thompson had 25 points and 15 rebounds and Dillon Brooks added 20 points for the Rockets.
Houston entered the night a game behind the Golden State Warriors for the final play-In tournament spot in the Western Conference.
Giddey matched his career best one night after scoring a season-high 25 in a win at New Orleans.
Jalen Williams added 23 points and 10 assists for Oklahoma City, who entered the night a half game behind the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets.
The final minutes of regulation were hectic. Giddey hustled to the ball and got a shot to bounce in while sitting on the floor a few feet in front of the free-throw line, putting the Thunder ahead 103-102 with just under four minutes remaining.
Oklahoma City's Williams made a contested 3-pointer with 4.7 seconds remaining to tie the score at 112. Jalen Green's layup at the buzzer rolled away, forcing overtime. Brooks hit two 3-pointers early in the extra period to put the Rockets in control.
The Thunder trailed by double digits in the first quarter, but rallied to lead 50-49 at half-time.
The Thunder led 69-62 when Giddey fouled Jabari Smith Jr. Giddey tried to help him up and Brooks pushed Giddey away and was issued a technical foul. It was Brooks' 14th of the season, putting him two short of a one-game suspension.
Oklahoma City took an 85-80 lead into the fourth quarter.
"It was lit, it was lit," Green said. "Everybody was happy, celebrating, screaming. I mean, we fought for that one. We worked hard."
Rockets coach Ime Udoka said it's all about stacking victories.
"Ten in a row is 10 in a row, regardless if Shai is out or whatever the case may be," Udoka said. "But it's hard to do in the NBA. The guys are proud of that effort, and well deserved."
In Atlanta, Dejounte Murray had 30 points and seven assists as the Hawks won their third in a row at the expense of Portland who were handed their eighth straight loss in the 120-106 victory.
Garrison Mathews hit five 3-points and scored a season-high 21 points to help the Hawks remain 10th in the Eastern Conference and avenge a 106-102 loss in Portland on March 13. Matthews led the Atlanta backups to 41 points.
For the third straight game, the Trail Blazers started five rookies due to injuries throughout the roster, including Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, Australian Matisse Thybulle, Malcom Brogdon and Angernee Simons.
The Trail Blazers shot 45 per cent from three (14-for-31), but committed 18 turnovers, with Australian Doup Reath contributing 13 points to go with five rebounds and five assists.
In Denver, the defending champion Nuggets were beaten 104-97 by the Phoenix Suns with Kevin Durant scoring 30 points to go with 13 rebounds and five blocks.
In other matches, there were wins for Brooklyn, Charlotte, Golden State, New York Knicks, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minnesotta and the LA Lakers.
Australian Associated Press
