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Harden plays through ankle issue to help Rockets outlast Nets

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

James Harden plugged through an ankle injury Friday to power the Houston Rockets to their fourth consecutive victory. 

The MVP favorite scored 15 points and handed out 12 assists, while Terrence Jones added 26 and 12 rebounds to help the Rockets edge the Brooklyn Nets, 102-98.

Harden's status was up in the air ahead of the game, but there was never really any doubt he would play. He shook off a rough shooting night from the field and came through with a big shot late in the fourth quarter, nailing a step-back jumper with 27 seconds remaining to put the Rockets up by three points.  

Nets point guard Deron Williams responded with a basket of his own, but Jason Terry and Jones added free throws to extend the lead, while Jarrett Jack missed a 3-pointer as time expired to seal the deal for Houston. 

Patrick Beverley, who was also questionable for the contest, returned from a two-game absence and scored nine points with three steals. 

The Rockets became the fourth team to join the 40-win club and are just 1.5 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for first place in the Southwest Division. Memphis was crushed by 18 points Friday in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers

Houston is 2-1 against the Grizzlies this season after winning its last matchup in December in overtime. The two teams will meet next week for the final time, following a pair of difficult games for the Rockets versus the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks

Harden, who double-doubled for the 15th time this season, has been the primary reason the Rockets have been able to weather the storm in the absence of All-Star center Dwight Howard. Houston has gone 10-4 since Howard went down with a knee injury in late January, and is 18-8 without him on the season. 

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