Sheppard leads Rockets to sink Spurs in Texas derby
Reed Sheppard led the scoring with a blistering 21-point cameo off the bench, pouring in 12 points in the fourth quarter to drag Houston over the line.
Turkish international Alperen Sengun added 20 points and Kevin Durant finished with 18 to give Houston the win at the Toyota Center.
The Rockets trailed by 16 points in the third quarter before a 13-0 run helped them erase San Antonio's advantage.
"We had good energy the whole game," Sheppard said.
"When we cut the lead a little bit there in the fourth quarter it was just 'keep fighting, keep staying together, we're close, keep putting the pieces together and go on a big run'.
"And that's what we did. It was a great team effort."
San Antonio looked to be cruising after a fast start, outscoring Houston 39-28 in the first quarter before taking a 70-60 half-time lead.
But the Spurs' shooting accuracy evaporated in the fourth quarter as they made only 7-of-28 from the field, and failed to make a single three-pointer from 13 attempts.
Julian Champagnie led San Antonio's scoring with 27 points, while Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox added 14 points apiece.
In other games on Tuesday, the Chicago Bulls unleashed 25 three-pointers in a 138-110 home rout of the Los Angeles Clippers, Coby White leading the scorers with 27 points.
In Salt Lake City, Keyonte George scored 43 points to upstage a 38-point display from Anthony Edwards as the lowly Utah Jazz upset the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-122.