Harden's 40 points not enough in Rockets' loss to the Wizards

Posted: January 30, 2016 -- 11:25 pm CDT.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- In spite of "interesting calls" by the referees, the Houston Rockets had a chance in the final seconds to win Saturday night. However, James Harden missed a driving lay-up and Josh Smith missed the putback which resulted a 123-122 loss to the Washington Wizards.

"I missed a lay-up," Harden said matter-of-fact after the game.

J.B. Bickerstaff described the last play: "Trying to get James (Harden) the ball, obviously. We put some pressure on the defense. He got to the rim; wasn't able to convert; but, he was aggressive. It's a point game; gets to the basket; put some foul pressure on them; and see what we get out of it. But, obviously, we came up short."

Harden was sensational in the ball game. He scored 40 points; dished out 11 assists; pulled down 7 rebounds; and picked up 4 steals.

Dwight Howard scored 20 points in the game -- before he was ejected. After getting involved in a skirmish with Wizards' big man, Nene, Howard was whistled for his second technical of the game - with 8:08 remaining in the fourth period.

The Rockets (25-25) trailed 102-98 when Howard was ejected. Harden scored six straight points; then, he assisted on back-to-back three-point baskets - first by Trevor Ariza; second by Patrick Beverley to give the Rockets a 113-107 lead with 4:44 remaining.

The Wizards (21-24) chipped away at the lead and turned to the "Hack-A-Capela" foul strategy.

Capela made 1 of 4 foul shots; and, the Wizards tied game at 117 on a three-point basket by John Wall.

After Ariza missed a three-point attempt, Jared Dudley made 2 foul shots for a 119-117 Wizards' lead with 1:58 remaining in the game.

John Wall made 2 free throws before Harden answered with 2 made foul shots.

Dudley scored a lay-up for a 123-119 Wizards' lead with 37.0 seconds left in the game.

Harden then attacked the basket and scored a driving lay-up and was fouled. Harden's three-point play pulled the Rockets within one points (123-122) with 32.2 seconds remaining.

Harden then played solid defense and forced Wall to miss a tough lay-up attempt with 8.7 seconds on the clock.

The Rockets called timeout to set up their final play.

After the timeout, Harden and Smith each missed shots at the rim to send the Rockets to the one point loss.

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