| |
|
NBA - Harden launches 31 points as Rockets beat OKC, 112-101
By Franco Ching Alsay PhilBoxing.com Fri, 16 Jan 2015

HOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets used a 40-18 first quarter burst to upend a well-rested Oklahoma City Thunder, 112-101, on Thursday night at the Toyota Center.
James Harden led Houston's balanced attack with 31 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Trevor Ariza had 17 points and four steals while Jonas Motiejunas tallied 14 points and four boards.
Dwight Howard, Patrick Beverley and Josh Smith each had 13 points for the Rockets, who made 41 of 86 percent from the field (47.7 percent) and 16 of 36 from above the 3-point line (44.7 percent).
It was a good bounce back win for the Rockets, who bowed to the Orlando Magic, 120-113, on Wednesday night.
OKC, which came off of a five-day layoff, got 24 points from reigning MVP Kevin Durant's 24 points on 8-for-12 shooting. But it wasn't enough spark to beat a well-rounded Rockets team that is 14-6 at home and 28-12 overall.
Russell Westbrook finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Thunder while Reggie Jackson pitched in 16 points, six assists and six rebounds, but OKC struggled on the field, making only 35 of 81 shots.
"We got to do a much better job and with a sense of urgency, we can't give a high power offensive team a lot of easy looks" Thunder head coach Scott Brooks told reporters during his post-game press conference..
With the loss, the Thunder's record fell to 18-20 and 3.5 games behind the 23-18 Phoenix Suns for the eighth and last playoffs berth in the highly-competitive Western Conference. (FA)
Photo: James Harden's 31 points was more than enough to power the Houston Rockets past the OKC Thunder, 112-101, at the Toyota Center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Franco Ching Alsay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Connor Benn Targets Barrios' WBC Welter Belt After Defeating Chris Eubank Jnr By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Sans Wembanyama, Spurs Dominate Kings 123 – 110 By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025GM Joey Antonio finishes second in Spain chess tilt By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025A Tall Order: Rafael Espinoza KOs Arnold Khegai to Retain Featherweight Crown , Sun, 16 Nov 2025Conor Benn dominates Chris Eubank Jr to claim emphatic rematch victory By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Argentinian CM Daniri , maintains second place in Spain chess tourney By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025NBA ALL STAR 2026: USA VS. WORLD By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn 2: Will Eubank Step on the Gas Pedal Earlier? By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Highland Show in Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025Tickets ON SALE NOW for Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan , Sat, 15 Nov 2025Russ Westbrook set record setting 10,000 assists By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025GM Joey Antonio draws Becker to maintain second place in Spain chess tourney By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 15 Nov 20254th Gov. Ruel Pacquiao Motocross Competition By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025Weigh-In Results: Rafael Espinoza vs. Arnold Khegai , Sat, 15 Nov 2025Soledad fights Thai for WBC Asia Continental Welter title on Nov. 29 By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025Former Champ Joseph Parker fails drug test on WBO championship fight By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025R&B PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO HARD ROCK LIVE AT ETESS ARENA FOR FIGHT NIGHT 4 ON NOVEMBER 22, 2025 , Sat, 15 Nov 2025WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM ALL STAR BOXING SHOW IN MANAGUA , Sat, 15 Nov 2025Tapales wins by a unanimous decision By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025Porres III to fight Narukami for vacant IBF Youth flyweight title tomorrow By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025Press Conference Notes: Featherweight King Rafael Espinoza Readies for Mexican Homecoming , Fri, 14 Nov 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS HOSTS “BABY SHOWER” TO BENEFIT MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS IN HONOR OF PAPA-TO-BE JIMUEL PACQUIAO’S PRO DEBUT , Fri, 14 Nov 2025DANGEROUS SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS FRANCISCO VERON AND ROIMAN VILLA COLLIDE IN “DO OR DIE” MAIN EVENT ON PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS , Fri, 14 Nov 2025Jeter Promotions Kacie Wheeler Back in Action on November 22 , Fri, 14 Nov 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats German FIDE Master for stay in second place in Spain Chess Tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|