Harden's triple-double, Howard's return help Rockets down Nuggets

The good times keep rolling in Houston.

The Rockets got Dwight Howard back, James Harden recorded a triple-double and the team defeated the Denver Nuggets 108-96 to improve to 18-5 on the season.

Harden poured in 24 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds, two blocks and a steal, while Howard posted 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting to go with 13 rebounds and three blocks in his return from an 11-game absence due to a knee injury.

Donatas Motiejunas added 25 points for Houston to post his seventh consecutive double-digit scoring game.

With the win, the Rockets moved to within one game of the Memphis Grizzlies for first place in the tough Southwest Division.

As for the inconsistent Nuggets, they lost for the fifth time in six games to fall to 10-13, now tied with the surging Oklahoma City Thunder.