CHARLOTTE -- The Houston Rockets shook off a sluggish start and managed to pull off a 100-90 victory at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte.
Despite missing five key players due to injuries, the Hornets kept pace with the Rockets in the first half thanks to Brian Roberts who fired 16 points including 4 triples all in the second quarter. He finished with career high 23 points.
The half ended at 52-all.
The Rockets slowly pulled away in the third period as James Harden scored 10 of his 29 points to put Houston up eight entering the fourth.
Rockets' head coach Kevin Mchale, wary of his team's slow starts, said " They made some shots early. Our defense and coverages were way too soft and they took advantage of it. We got going a little bit in the second half. Defense was much better."
In the fourth period, it was all Rockets as they led by as many as 12 and did not relinquish the lead.
Josh Smith had 16 points and 11 boards, Terrence Jones had 10 points and 11 rebounds while Trevor Ariza added 10 points.
"We move the basketball and everybody gets shots, and defensively we help each other out." Harden told reporters.
Jeffrey Taylor scored 16 points while Troy Daniels added 15 for the Hornets' losing cause.
The Rockets (55-26) who hold the fifth playoff spot in the Western Conference will host the Utah Jazz on Wednesday for their final game of the season.The Hornets (33-48) who dropped their fifth consecutive game will travel to Toronto for their last game also on Wednesday.
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