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Harden makes 8 three-pointers as Rockets beat Hornets

Jan 1, 2015 - 5:42 AM Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - James Harden made a career-high eight 3- pointers and scored 36 points to help the Houston Rockets beat the Charlotte Hornets, 102-83, on Wednesday.

Harden also had seven rebounds and six assists for the Rockets, who snapped a two-game skid. He has scored at least 28 points in his last five games.

"I felt real comfortable. My shot felt good all night," Harden said.

Patrick Beverley and Donatas Motiejunas added 14 and 12 points, respectively, for Houston, which went 17-of-43 from beyond the arc. Dwight Howard contributed 11 points and eight rebounds.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Gerald Henderson each scored 16 points for the Hornets, who have lost four in a row on the heels of a four-game winning streak. Kemba Walker ended with 12 points and five assists.

"Their defense is good, really good actually," Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. "Tonight just taking care of the ball was an issue."

The Hornets led for a majority of the first half and held a 45-41 edge with 49.8 seconds left. But Harden and Beverley made 3-pointers to give Houston a two-point lead at the break.

Beverley scored the first eight points of the third quarter to make it a 55-45 game. The Rockets maintained their lead and took a 76-68 margin into the fourth.

Houston led by as many as 20 in the final frame.

Game Notes

The Rockets have won eight straight against the Hornets and 10 in a row as the host ... Charlotte went 3-of-18 from beyond the arc ... Hornets center Al Jefferson will be sidelined at least four weeks due to a strain of an adductor muscle in his left groin.