Harden scores 42 as Rockets beat Wizards 109-103
James Harden scored 42 points (8 during a 10-0 run in the third quarter), and the Houston Rockets went on a 12-2 run in the fourth quarter to beat the Washington Wizards 109-103.
The Wizards led 99-97 with 4:06 left in the fourth quarter. Harden’s 14-foot step-back jumper put the Rockets ahead for good with 2:13 left. They took a 109-101 lead with 12 seconds left.
The Wizards had the ball down 3 with 48 seconds left, but Harden stole the ball from John Wall. A 3-pointer would have tied the game.
During clutch time, the Rockets outscored the Wizards 12-6. Harden (No. 2 in clutch points, 2015-16) scored 4 of the Rockets’ 12 on 1 for 3 shooting and 2 for 2 at the line.
For the Wizards, Wall had 26 points, 9 rebounds, 12 assists and 3 steals, and Bradley Beal went 1 for 7 from 3.
The Rockets shot 48.2% from the field and 36.4% from 3 to the Wizards’ 43.8% and 20.0%.