Hardin leads Rockets to win over Thunder

HOUSTON (AP) – James Harden scored 15 of his 31 points in the Houston Rockets’ big first quarter in a 112-101 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.

The Rockets led 40-18 after one and didn’t trail again to bounce back after a loss to Orlando on Wednesday night that snapped a four-game winning streak.

The Thunder scored the first three points of the fourth quarter to cut it to 10, but Houston used a 12-0 run to make it 100-78 and cruise to the victory – the 200th of coach Kevin McHale’s career.

It was the 17th 30-point game this season for Harden, who leads the NBA in scoring.

Kevin Durant had 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder. They have lost three of their last four games.