Harden scores 30 in Rockets' rout of Hornets
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- James Harden had 30 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, and the Houston Rockets dominated the second half for a 107-95 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night at the Spectrum Center.
The Rockets trailed by four at halftime, but outscored the Hornets 36-22 in the third quarter and then went on to lead by double figures most of the fourth quarter.
Harden finished 8 of 21 from the field with four 3-pointers, after hitting just 3 of 12 from the field in the first half. He finished just two assists short of his 15th triple-double of the season.
The Rockets (39-17) have won three straight. Because of injuries, they played just an eight-man rotation throughout.
They hit 13 3-pointers, including seven in their third-quarter surge.
Patrick Beverley added 17 points. Montrezl Harrell scored 15, Ryan Anderson 14, and Trevor Ariza and Clint Capela scored 11 each.
The Hornets (24-29) have now lost eight of their last nine. They were plagued by a season-worst 22 turnovers that the Rockets converted into 27 points.
Nicolas Batum led the Hornets with 15 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. Kemba Walker scored 14, Marvin Williams 12, and Marco Belinelli 10.
The Hornets led by as many as nine in the first half. They led 29-23 after one quarter and 54-50 at halftime. Houston then took control and led 86-76 after three quarters.
NOTES: The Rockets won the only previous game between the teams this season, 121-114 in Houston on Jan. 10. They came into the game with a 40-14 edge in the all-time series. ... The Rockets were without C Nene (shoulder) and G Eric Gordon (back). ... The Hornets were without G Ramon Sessions (torn lateral meniscus). He underwent surgery earlier this week and will be out four to six weeks. ... The Hornets got C Cody Zeller back after he missed the previous seven games with a quad injury. The Hornets are 2-12 this season when Zeller doesn't play. ... The Hornets snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 111-107 win over Brooklyn on Tuesday. ... The Rockets were coming off a 128-104 win over Orlando on Tuesday. ... The Rockets were on a one-game trip. They will return home to face Phoenix on Saturday. ... The Hornets were playing the second game on a four-game home stand. They will host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.