HOUSTON --With his team fighting for a playoffs berth in the tough Western Conference, James Harden delivered the goods on Sunday afternoon and the Houston Rockets remained in contention for a postseason berth.
Harden erupted for 41 points as the Rockets turned back the powerhouse Oklahoma City Thunder, 118-110, at the Toyota Center. The victory improved the Rockets' record to 38-39, 9th place and just a game behind the 39-38 Utah Jazz who currently owns the 8th and last playoffs berth in the West.
Playing with a sense of urgency, Harden also had nine assists and four rebounds in 43 minutes of action against his former team. Trevor Ariza also shined for the Rockets with 18 points while Patrick Beverley added 12. DWight Howard had a quiet four points and eight rebounds.
"We kept pushing and we didn't slow down. James did a great job of reading the plays those are the things that we have to continue to do down the stretch. We are a very good team when we play that way" Houston head coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters after the tight contest.
Kevin Durant scored 33 points for OKC while Russell Westbrook barely missed another triple-double with 23 points, 13 rebounds ans nine assists. Despite the setback, the Thunder maintained its hold of 3rd place in the West with a 53-24 slate.
The Rockets, who have five games left in their schedule, continue their playoffs push with a visit with the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
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