James Harden scores 34; Rockets top Mavs, 113-105

Posted: November 1, 2013 -- 11:20 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets led the Dallas Mavericks by as much as 22 points Friday night. Garbage time came with about four minutes left; and, the Mavs' deep reserves took advantage of the Rockets' deep reserves to help make the final score a bit more respectable. The Rockets topped the Mavs 113-105 in front of an announced sellout crowd (not even close) of 18,142 fans.

James Harden scored a game-high 34 points (11 for 17 field goals, 4 for 8 3s; 8 for 9 free throws). Dwight Howard added 13 points and 16 rebounds.

The Rockets raced out to 38 points after the first quarter; and, the Mavs seemed to have no answer for stopping the Rockets -- until the Mavs switched to a zone defense in the second quarter.

"We had parts in the first half where we were really rolling," Kevin McHale said. "Then, they went zone; and, we just stood around too much. We just got real complacent to shoot threes."

The Rockets (2-0) settled for too many early perimeter shots and failed to attack the Mavs' zone; and, the Mavs (1-1) slowly crept back into the ball game.

After leading 55-33, the Rockets scored just six points in the final 5:12 of the second quarter; and, Mavs outscored the Rockets 17-6 to slice the Rockets lead down to 11 (61-50) at halftime.

The Rockets turned the ball over four times to start the third quarter; but, the Mavs didn't take advantage and pulled within 70-60. After each team was whistled for a delay of game, the Mavs began "Hack-a-Howard with 5:34 left in the third quarter. Howard clanged two free throws; but, Monta Ellis bringed a long jump shot. Then, Harden nailed a three-point shot to stretch the lead to 13 with 5:02 left in the third quarter.

After a layup by Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavs continued "Hack-a-Howard". Howard clanged two more foul shots; and Vince Carter sank a runner. The Mavs fouled Howard again; and, Howard made the first and missed the second.

"He's had it done to him before," Kevin McHale said of Hack-a-Dwight. "I'm sure other teams will do it again."

The tempo of the game slowed down more; and, as the Rockets missed three straight shots Dirk Nowitzki scored six straight points to trim the Rockets lead to 76-70.

Harden stopped the bleeding by sinking two foul shots; then, Harden attacked the basket with a driving layup; scored; and Nowitzki was whistled for his foul on the play. Harden completed the three-point play and stretched the Rockets' lead to 81-70 with 2:18 left in the third quarter.

"We'll practice against it," said Harden of the Rockets' play against the Mavs' zone defense. "Try not to get stagnant. That's they (opponents) want to do - slow us up when they go into zone. We just have to keep the ball moving and keep attacking them. Space and just get open shots."

The Rockets led 85-72 after the third period. Francisco Garcia and Harden hit back-to-back three-points; but, the Mavs refused to falter and chopped the lead down to 91-83 with 7:49 remaining in the game.

Garcia scored a driving layup; and, Harden scored another driving layup which resulted in Nowitzki picking up his sixth foul and foul out of the game for the first time since November 4, 2009.

With Nowitzki out of the game, the Mavs' offense bogged down and the Rockets led 104-87 with 4 minutes left in the ball game.

Garbage play began; and, Mavs' forward Jae Crowder sank 5 of 6 three-point shots to help the Mavs get as close to five points (110-105) in the final seconds.

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