HOUSTON (AP) — James Harden scored a season-high 45 points, including 18 in the third quarter, and the Houston Rockets beat the Indiana Pacers 110-98 on Monday.
It was the 18th 30-point game and fourth with 40 this season for Harden, the NBA’s leading scorer. He bounced back after scoring just 11 in a 131-106 loss to Golden State on Saturday.
Houston led by 10 at halftime and used a 33-point third quarter, thanks in large part to four 3-pointers from Harden, to push the lead to 20 entering the fourth.
The Pacers outscored Houston 30-21 in the final period, and a 5-0 run got them within eight with 2 1/2 minutes left. But Harden scored seven points after that to secure the victory.
C.J. Miles had 23 points to lead the Pacers, who have lost five straight.
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