Harden’s 40 points lead ailing Rockets

James Harden has regained his shooting touch and that’s helped the Houston Rockets go on a winning streak despite injuries to other starters.

Harden had 40 points and 11 assists, and the short-handed Rockets overcame an early deficit to beat the Charlotte Hornets 125-110 on Tuesday night in Houston.

Houston won its third straight, handing Charlotte its fourth consecutive loss and 12th in 13 games.

Harden finished a rebound shy of a triple-double after also scoring 40 points but falling one assist short of a triple-double in Houston’s last game. He’s scored at least 35 points in each of his last three games after struggling through a shooting slump over the previous four.

The Rockets got off to a slow start and trailed throughout most of the first half on a night when they played without starters Clint Capela and Russell Westbrook, who sat out with injuries.

Harden has carried a huge load for Houston during the winning streak, with Capela sidelined for all three games and Westbrook joining him on the bench Tuesday night.

But Harden was quick to point out that he’s had some help.

“Guys are out with injuries, next guy has the opportunity to step up and play well,” he said. “And obviously I think everyone played well tonight, not just offensively but defensively, being in the right spots.”

at Denver 127, Portland 99: Nikola Jokic finished an assist shy of a triple-double in just three quarters, Gary Harris helped keep hotshooting Damian Lillard in check and the Nuggets routed the Trail Blazers. Jokic had 29 points and 13 rebounds as the Nuggets improved to 8-0 against Northwest Division rivals this season. Even more, they contained Lillard. The Blazers point guard had a string of eight straight 30-point games snapped in being held to 21. Lillard was eight for 23 from the floor, predominantly with Harris shadowing him.

Milwaukee 120, at New Orleans 108: Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points and 17 rebounds, and the Bucks defeated the Pelicans. Khris Middleton scored 20 for the Bucks, who led by 19 in the third quarter before holding off a Pelicans rally in the fourth. Brandon Ingram scored 32 points and Zion Williamson had 20 for the Pelicans, who briefly got as close as seven twice in the fourth period before the Bucks improved to 20-4 away from home this season.

at Lakers 129, San Antonio 102