Harden tops 50-point mark for 2nd straight game in loss to Nets

HOUSTON (AP) Spencer Dinwiddie scored 25 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter and overtime and the Brooklyn Nets spoiled James Harden's 58-point night with a 145-142 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Harden had his second straight season high after scoring 57 in a victory over Memphis on Monday night, but was only 5 of 19 from 3-point range. The Rockets shot an NBA-record 70 3s, making just 23.

Harden has scored at least 30 points in 18 straight games and has reached 40 in nine of the last 12. He was 16 of 34 overall from the field, made 21 of 23 free throws and had 10 rebounds and six assists.

Dinwiddie forced overtime, making three 3-pointers in the last 30 seconds of regulation. In the extra period, he hit the go-ahead basket with 28 seconds left.

After Harden made three free throws to give the Rockets a one-point lead, James Nunnally - who signed a 10-day contract Wednesday - hit a 3-pointer to make it 142-135 with 1:28 left.

Treveon Graham made a 3 for Brooklyn and Jarrett Allen made a basket but missed a free throw to cut the lead to 142-140. But the Nets grabbed a rebound and Dinwiddie, who had seven points in OT, made a three-point play to put Brooklyn up 143-142. Austin Rivers missed a 3 for Houston, and Joe Harris made two free throws to make it 145-142 with 1.6 seconds left.

Houston had a chance to tie it at the buzzer, but Gerald Green's shot clanged off the rim.

The Rockets broke their own record for 3-point attempts after shooting 61 against New Orleans on Dec. 16, 2016. Houston also holds the record for most 3-pointers made after hitting 26 in a win over Washington this season. Green, who did not attempt a 2-point basket, made 5 of 15.

The Rockets were up by 11 with about 2 1/2 minutes left when Brooklyn used a 9-3 run to get to 127-122 with about 30 seconds left.

P.J. Tucker made two free throws after that, and Dinwiddie made a 3 for Brooklyn with 26.2 seconds remaining to cut it to 128-125. Harden made one of two free throws, and Dinwiddie struck again with another 3 about five seconds later to get Brooklyn within one.

Tucker missed two free throws, but Harden grabbed a rebound with 12.7 seconds left. He made both free throws, and Dinwiddie made a third straight 3-pointer to tie it up with 8.4 seconds left. Harden had a chance to win it in regulation, but his 3-point attempt bounced off the rim.

TIP-INS

Nets: Jared Dudley missed his third straight game with a strained left hamstring. ... Shabazz Napier returned after missing one game with tightness in his right hamstring. ... Rondae Hollis-Jefferson returned after sitting out the last seven games with a right adductor strain.

Rockets: Eric Gordon had 20 points in his return after missing eight games with a bruised right knee. ... James Ennis missed the game after cutting his left leg in a fall at his house. Coach Mike D'Antoni said he should return for the next game. ... Chris Paul missed his 13th game in a row with a strained left hamstring ... Clint Capela missed his second straight game with an injured right thumb. ... Brandon Knight sat out with a sore left knee.

UP NEXT

Nets: At Orlando on Friday night.

Rockets: Host Lakers on Saturday night.