Rockets 109, Wizards 103
WASHINGTON -- Rockets guard James Harden scored 42 points and outdueled Wizards guard John Wall as Houston outlasted Washington for a 109-103 win Wednesday night.
One night after scoring a season-low 10 points in Tuesday's 110-105 loss at the Brooklyn Nets, Harden recorded his eighth game this season with at least 30 points. He made five 3-pointers and 11 of 12 free throws along with nine rebounds and seven assists for the Rockets (11-12). Houston has won four of five games.
Wall also neared triple-double territory with 26 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds, but the Wizards (9-11) couldn't keep up in the final minutes.
Harden's 3-point play with 2:13 remaining broke a 99-99 tie. After each team traded baskets, Wall's turnover led to forward Corey Brewer's fast-break layup for a 106-101 lead with 40.8 seconds left.
Washington trailed Houston 56-47 at halftime, but turned the game tight with a 13-0 run early in the third quarter.
The Wizards have alternated wins and losses in their last six games and are 3-7 since Nov. 24.
Brewer scored 15 points and guard Patrick Beverley had 14 with four 3-pointers. The Rockets made 12 of 33 shots from beyond the arc.
Washington entered the game last in 3-point percentage while Houston ranked second in 3-pointers attempted. The Wizards allowed 16 3-pointers in their last home game, a 116-104 loss to the Dallas Mavericks Sunday. They rebounded the following night with a 114-103 road win over the Eastern Conference leading Miami Heat.
Center Marcin Gortat had 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Wizards. Gortat missed the previous three games because of family matters in his native Poland. He arrived stateside Tuesday and Wednesday recorded his fourth straight double-double.
Harden didn't attempt a shot for the opening six minutes against Washington and then proceeded to score 10 points with two 3-pointers over the next four minutes as Houston led 30-17 after the first quarter.
The shot taking and making continued in the second quarter. The 2015 NBA Most Valuable Player runner-up finished the half 4 of 5 from the beyond the arc and 7 of 10 overall for 19 points before the crowd of 16, 041.
Guard Bradley Beal had 15 points as all five Washington starters scored in double figures for the first time this season.
NOTES: With Rockets F Trevor Ariza sidelined, F Corey Brewer made his first start of the season. Ariza's 173 games played streak began Nov. 26, 2013, when he was with the Wizards. ... Washington F Kris Humphries was held out with an ankle injury. He played 17 minutes against Miami after missing the previous two games with the injury. Forwards Nene (strained left calf) and Drew Gooden (right calf strain) remained sidelined. ... Houston recalled F K.J. McDaniels from the D-League. ... The two teams next meet Jan. 30 in Houston. ... Houston hosts the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. Washington opens a four-game Western Conference road swing on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans.