Harden scores 33 in Rockets' 9 point win over Jazz

Posted: January 7, 2016 -- 10:35 pm CDT.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- Tempo was key Thursday night. In the first half, the Jazz controlled the tempo and slowed the game to a snail's pace and led the Rockets 44-39 at halftime. In the second half, the Rockets quickened the pace and outscored the Jazz 64-50 and won 103-94.

"The first half, we forced them (Utah) into 12 turnovers; but, we only had nine points off those 12 turnovers," said J.B. Bickerstaff after the game. "When you turn a team over, you've got to take advantage of it. You've got to get out on the floor. You've got to push.

"They only had four offensive rebounds in the first half -- which means we should have more opportunities to push. We should've been pushing the ball ore. The second half, obviously 33 points (in the third quarter) and 31 points (in the fourth quarter), we committed to that; and, it was effective."

James Harden scored 16 of the Rockets' 39 points in the first half and 17 points in the second half for a game-high 33 points. The 33 points is the 15th time this season Harden has scored 30 or more points in a game. The Rockets are 11 and 4 in those 15 games.

Harden's 17 second-half points came on 7 for 13 field-goal shooting; but, just as important, Harden received help from his teammates in the second half as the other eight healthy Rockets' players made 16 of 22 field goals in the second 24 minutes.

Jason Terry scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half; and, Marcus Thornton scored 8 of his 12 points in the second half also.

"We kind of played into their hands in the first half," Thornton said. "We got in it at halftime and Coach harped on getting the ball out and playing fast. That's what we tried to do in the third quarter."

Jason Terry added, "We did talk about it at halftime. We said, 'It is real dead in here. Let's bring some life to the party.' Patrick Beverly got it started early (in the third) with a couple of steals; a couple deflections and we kind of went from there."

Terry and Thornton combined for 24 of the Rockets' 34 bench points.

The Rockets (18-19) are 8-1 when holding their opponents below 100 points this season after going 35-4 last season.

Dwight Howard did not play in the game due to lower back tightness; but, despite Howard's absence, the Rockets out-rebounded the Jazz 41-35 which helped the Rockets to improve to 11-3 this season when out-rebounding their opponents this season.

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