James Harden scored 30 points, carrying Houston on a night when Dwight Howard got into a small scuffle with Kevin Garnett, and the Rockets beat the suddenly sliding Brooklyn Nets, 113-99.
Kevin Garnett and Dwight Howard got locked up under the basket and a foul was called. Howard smacked away Garnett’s hand and that when it got messy. Garnett was ejected in the first quarter after head-butting Howard in the face and throwing the ball at him, while Howard received a technical foul after appearing to punch or slap Garnett in the neck with an open hand.
Howard had a quiet night though, finishing with 8 points and 5 rebounds, continuing his bad January trend. The Rockets didn’t need much in the middle while dominating from the outside with 16 3-pointers on 40 attempts and Houston continues to lead the NBA in both 3 pointers made and attempted.
Harden’s 30 on the night also came with 6 assists. Donatas Motiejunas scored 18 points with 11 rebounds, Trevor Ariza scored 12 points and Patrick Beverly had 11 points with 7 rebounds and 5 assists while Josh Smith came off the bench for 13 points and 6 rebounds.
Mason Plumlee scored a career-high 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Nets, who lost their sixth straight game. Jarret Jack and Bojan Bogdanovic scored 13 points each, Joe Johnson dropped 12 points on the night and Brook Lopez came off the bench to score 12 points.
Houston Rockets are 27-11. Brooklyn Nets are 16-22.
