HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- The Rockets let a 22-point halftime lead disappear as they lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-112 Saturday night at Toyota Center.
Oklahoma City connected on seven three-points in the third quarter, while the Rockets made just one and turned the ball over six times, allowing the Thunder to make up the 22-point difference in 12 minutes. The lead changed hands seven times in the fourth quarter, with Russell Westbrook's layup with 26.9 seconds left in regulation putting Oklahoma City up for good. James Harden tried to answer, but his 3-point attempt over Westbrook was off the mark as the Rockets drop to 32-23 on the season, four games back of the Thunder for the 3-seed in the Western Conference.
Harden led the Rockets with 42 points for his 29th straight 30-point game. He shot 11-of-28 from the field, 14-of-15 from the free throw line.
Chris Paul finished an assist shy of a triple-double but did give the Rockets 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Kenneth Faried chipped in 17 points and 12 rebounds.
In his Rockets debut, Iman Shumpert's 3-pointer broke a 25-25 tie to end the first quarter, and the Rockets erupted for 42 points in the second quarter, only to match that total in the second half. Oklahoma City matched the Rockets second quarter output in the third.
Paul George led all scorers with 45 points and 11 rebounds. He shot 12-of-22 from the field, while Westbrook added 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 asssits for his ninth straight triple-double.
Dennis Schroeder added 17 points off the bench, 13 came in the third quarter.
Up next for the Rockets will be a battle with the Dallas Mavericks Monday night at Toyota Center.
