NBA: Rockets speed past slumping Warriors

Barely a week ago, the Houston Rockets couldn't miss from downtown, tying the NBA record for made three-pointers in a game, with 23. Then they showed on Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time) that they could beat the Golden State Warriors when they were missing from range as well. Seven Rockets scored in double-figures, as Houston once again trumped Golden State, 116-107, at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. [Related: Rockets detonate from downtown as Jeremy Lin gets revenge on Warriors] James Harden shrugged off what looked like a roll of his ankle in the third quarter, to lead Houston with 27 points, including an 11-of-11 clip from the foul line, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. One-time Warrior Jeremy Lin added 14 points and 10 assists.

Rockets James Harden will miss Wednesday's game at Clippers with ankle injury but will be ready for Sunday's All-Star Game.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) February 13, 2013

It was later announced though that Harden would miss the Rockets' last game before the All-Star break to rest that injury. The Warriors led by as much nine points in the first period, but a frenzied second quarter saw five lead changes and seven deadlocks, with Houston emerging on top at the intermission by a slim margin, 57-56. A 13-5 run by the Rockets in the third gave them their first double-digit advantage, 88-77, 1:12 to play in the quarter, but the home team got within five in the fourth quarter, following a pull-up triple by Stephen Curry, 91-86, 10:31 remaining in the game. The Rockets countered with back-to-back dunks by Marcus Morris, followed by treys from Carlos Delfino, and Morris anew, to reestablish their double-digit cushion, 107-95, halfway through the final quarter. Five unanswered from James Harden then put their foes away, as it gave their side a 114-101 lead with two minutes left. Chandler Parson stuffed the stats sheet with 21 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, a block and a steal, while Omer Asik totaled a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds for Houston, to stay safely ensconced in the eighth seed out West. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 27 markers, while Klay Thompson and Jarret Jack tallied 22 each. Big man David Lee was held to just 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting, though he did haul in 12 boards. The Rockets converted only 10-of-34 triples, but they out-shot the Warriors overall, 47.3 percent versus 45.2 percent from the field, and won the assists battle 32-25. - Adrian Dy, GMA News