Rockets thump Thunder, 112-101

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- James Harden haunted his former teammates (again) Thursday night. In a 112-101 Rockets' victory, Harden almost messed around and got a triple-double. Harden scored 31 points, dished 10 assists, and pulled down nine boards in the win.

The Rockets (28-12 overall) spotted the Thunder a 4-0 lead before scoring 16 consecutive points. Harden scored seven points in the 16-0 blitz. The Rockets erupted for a season-high 40 points (14 for 24 field goals, 6 for 10 threes) in the opening quarter and led OKC 40-18 after the first 12 minutes.

"We came out and had great energy that first quarter," Kevin McHale said. "We really got after it on both sides of the ball, and that's about as good as we can play there. I think the guys knew that last night was kind of a bad game. We didn't play that well, but give Orlando a lot of credit, they played well. Tonight our guys came out and took care of business, we had a fantastic first quarter. It was electric on both sides of the ball. The ball moved, guys made shots, made the extra pass and it was just fun to watch."

"We struggled getting back," said OKC head coach Scott Brooks. "We struggled covering the three point line. They were getting everything they wanted in the first quarter, forty point quarter, we just can't have that. They jumped out twenty six on us and then we battled back. They only scored twenty four points each in the next three quarters. They were hitting everything. Everything was open and even the bank was open. Four banked threes, I've never seen that before but when things were going for them, that’s what happens. We gave them a lot of opportunities in the first quarter and we just couldn't overcome it."

Kevin Durant scored only one point in the first quarter; but, Durant awakened from his apparent slumber in the second quarter with 15 points to help the Thunder outscore the Rockets 35-24 in the quarter and trim the Rockets' lead to 11 points (64-53) at halftime.

"We have to start the game better," Durant admitted. "For me as the leader, I have to make sure we start games better. I can’t afford to come in here and say that after every game. We can't dig ourselves a hole like that and it starts with me."

The Rockets kept OKC at arms' length in the third and fourth quarters. Each time the Thunder inched within 11 points, the Rockets would answer with a quick four or five points.

"They made runs, and we'd make a couple timely baskets to push it back up," McHale commented. "It (the lead) would go from 11, to 15 or 16 and then we would start feeling a little more comfortable."

Harden's 31 points led six Rockets' players in double-digit scoring. Trevor Ariza scored 17 points; Donatas Motiejunas scored 14 points and Dwight Howard, Patrick Beverley, and Josh Smith each scored 13.

"James was huge for us tonight," Trevor Ariza acknowledged. "Making plays for us, plays for himself, and just being a true leader out there. What I think, a MVP candidate."

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