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Balanced Rockets down Nuggets

Nov 17, 2013 - 7:28 AM Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Dwight Howard led seven Houston players in double figures with 25 points to boost the Rockets to a 122-111 wire-to-wire win over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

Chandler Parsons added 20 points, James Harden scored 17 and Terrence Jones finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Rockets, winners in three of their last four games.

"We still have things to work on, but this is definitely a step in the right direction," said Parsons.

Jeremy Lin scored 16 points while Donatas Motiejunas and Patrick Beverley finished with 12 and 11 points, respectively, in the win.

Ty Lawson posted game-highs of 28 points and 17 assists, but it wasn't enough for the Nuggets, who had won three straight entering the contest.

"It's pretty simple, if you don't defend you are not going to win. We gave up 62 points in the paint, which is unheard of, and we have to put it together ourselves. We gave up three 30 point quarters and you just can't do that and expect to win," said Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw.

The Rockets opened the game on a 19-8 burst and led by as many as 16 in the opening frame before taking a 33-23 edge after the first 12 minutes.

Houston stretched its lead to 63-46 at the break after outscoring the Nuggets 30-23 in the second quarter. Motiejunas led the way with nine points on 4-of-5 shooting and Lin chipped in with eight of his points in the period.

The Rockets' lead swelled as high as 21 in the third quarter and the Nuggets couldn't get closer than nine the rest of the way.

Game Notes

Jones tied career highs in rebounds and points ... The Rockets shot 50.6 (41- for-81) from the field ... Lawson's 17 assists mark a new career high. Lawson had 15 assists against the Rockets last season.