Westbrook's 28 points help Rockets snap skid with win over Nuggets
HOUSTON (AP) Russell Westbrook had 28 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists, James Harden added 27 points and the Houston Rockets snapped a four-game losing streak with a 121-105 victory over the short-handed Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
Westbrook shot 11 of 25 from the field and had four steals. He just missed his second straight triple-double.
Harden scored 20 points in the first half. He shot 2 of 6 on 3-pointers after going 1 for 17 on 3s on Monday night against Oklahoma City.
Harden connected on 13 of 15 from the free-throw line. Houston shot 47%, including 13 of 29 on 3-pointers.
Eric Gordon scored 25 points on 6-of-8 shooting on 3-pointers, and Clint Capela had 14 points and 11 rebounds to help Houston win its eighth straight against the Nuggets in Houston.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets - down five players, including three starters - with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his eighth triple-double of the season. Denver shot 46%, including 10 of 28 on 3-pointers.
Jerami Grant added 17 points and seven rebounds, and Torrey Craig had 14 points and seven rebounds.
Houston outscored the Nuggets 31-10 to take a 56-36 lead with 3 1/2 minutes left in the first half. The Rockets led 60-43 at the half. Denver never got closer than 13 in the second half.
TIP INS
Nuggets: F Michael Porter Jr. missed the game with back tightness, and C Mason Plumlee was out of the lineup with a cuboid injury in his right foot. F Paul Millsap (sprained/bruised left knee) missed his eighth consecutive game. G Gary Harris (right adductor strain) was out for a fifth straight game, and G Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain) missed his fourth straight game. . PJ Dozier had 15 points, Monte Morris scored 11 points and Malik Beasley had 12 points.
Rockets: G Austin Rivers returned after missing the last two games with a right thumb sprain. He finished with 11 points and 3 of 4 on 3-pointers. . Westbrook was whistled for a technical foul to start the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
Nuggets: At New Orleans on Friday night.
Rockets: At Minnesota on Friday night.