JAMES Harden and the Houston Rockets overcame a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 119-104, in an NBA tuneup match on Sunday in Florida (Monday, Manila time).
Expected to get limited minutes ahead of the NBA restart, Harden played until the closing moments as the Rockets rose from an 11-point deficit late to score their first win in the NBA bubble ahead of the season resumption.
The Rockets bowed to the Toronto Raptors in the first scrimmage, 83-94.
Houston dominated the fourth period 40-17, and Harden wound up with 31 points, not getting pulled out until around the one-minute mark. He made 5 of 9 attempts from beyond the arc, and had nine assists and eight rebounds in nearly 36 minutes of action.
“I tried to take James out with about four minutes to go, but he wouldn’t have any of it,” Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said in a USA Today report.
“He wanted to play and win. That’s the type of person he is. He’s such a competitor.”
Ben McLemore scores 26 and Jeff Green added 18.
Russell Westbrook struggled with eight points on 3 of 14 shooting, while Eric Gordon had an equally tough night, going 4 for 13 and also finishing with eight points.
Ja Morant had 17 points and six other Grizzlies scored in double figures.
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