James Harden had 44 points, a season-high 11 rebounds and 11 assists, his first triple-double of the season, and the Houston Rockets beat the Philadelphia 76ers 118-108.
The Rockets took control with a 29-13 run in the third quarter and led by as many as 18.
Clint Capela had a season-high 30 points (24 in the paint) and 14 rebounds on 12 for 16 shooting, and Russell Westbrook added 20 points (10 in the paint) and 3 steals. The Rockets had 2 30-point scorers. Harden assisted on 7 of Capela’s 12 baskets, 2 of them in the fourth quarter.
For the 76ers, Ben Simmons had 29 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals and 4 blocks on 13 for 20 shooting, his 25th career triple-double, and Tobias Harris added 24 points. Joel Embiid had 20 points and 12 rebounds. The 76ers had 3 20-point scorers.
The Rockets shot 47.7% from the field and 37.5% from 3 to the 76ers’ 45.7% and 22.2%.