Rockets 115, Nuggets 111 (OT)
Rockets 115, Nuggets 111 (OT): James Harden scored eight of his 41 points in overtime to hand visiting Houston its second win over Denver in as many games.
Dwight Howard added 24 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks while Harden dished out 10 assists for the Rockets, who went 37-of-48 from the free-throw line. Donatas Motiejunas tallied 18 points and Patrick Beverley chipped in with 12 - including four clutch free throws in overtime - to go along with a career-high 12 rebounds for Houston.
Wilson Chandler led the way with 23 points and Arron Afflalo scored 22 - including the game-tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation - for the Nuggets, whose bench outscored the Rockets' 42-7. Danilo Gallinari scored 16 points in a reserve role while Ty Lawson collected 12 points and 16 assists for Denver, which made 13 3-pointers.
Harden scored six straight points to put the Rockets on top 109-105 before the Nuggets had a chance to even the score but Afflalo missed his second attempt from the foul line with 24 seconds remaining in the extra session. Houston led 113-108 before Afflalo nailed another clutch triple to cut the deficit to two but Beverley sank two clutch free throws in the final 11 seconds to preserve the victory.
Denver pulled ahead 96-93 after a thunderous slam by Kenneth Faried before Harden nailed a triple to put the Rockets in front by two with 10.4 seconds remaining. Harden split a pair of three throws with six seconds left giving Denver a sliver of hope and Afflalo took full advantage by knocking down a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Rockets have won four of the last five meetings with the Nuggets. … Houston SG Jason Terry missed the game to be with his wife, who is expecting their fifth child. … Lawson has dished out nine or more assists in 18 straight games.