James Harden had 44 points (10 during a 12-0 run in the first quarter) and 10 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets closed the fourth quarter on a 17-6 run to beat the Brooklyn Nets 108-98.
The Nets had gone on a 20-3 run to lead 92-91 when Harden’s 12-foot floater put the Rockets ahead for good with 6:51 left. He scored 7 points during the run.
During clutch time, the Rockets outscored the Nets 7-0. Austin Rivers scored 5 of the Rockets’ 7 on 2 for 2 shooting.
Russell Westbrook had 23 points (14 in the first quarter), 9 rebounds and 7 assists.
For the Nets, Spencer Dinwiddie had 17 points and 11 assists but shot 6 for 20, and Jarrett Allen added 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The Rockets shot 43.6% from the field and 31.0% from 3 to the Nets’ 40.2% and 28.2%. The Nets’ starters were outscored 46-29 in 17 minutes together.