Raptors 101 - 117 Rockets
Final
  for this game

Harden, Rockets rip Raptors

Nov 28, 2012 - 6:55 AM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Playing with heavy hearts, the Houston Rockets made their grieving head coach Kevin McHale proud in the team's first game since the death of his daughter.

Jeremy Lin and James Harden combined for 40 points and 22 assists in the Rockets' 117-101 win over the Toronto Raptors.

McHale's 23-year-old daughter Sasha passed away Saturday after a long battle with lupus, an auto-immune disease. She had been hospitalized with a related condition.

"Right now it's an emotional time for the whole team," Lin said. "We're missing our leader. Right now we're just focused on coming out and playing the way we're supposed to play. Hopefully when he is watching, he can be proud of us."

Lin, who has tallied nine assists and 12 turnovers over his last three games coming in, dished out 10 helpers to go along with 16 points and three giveaways in the win. Harden added 24 points and 12 assists for Houston, which has won three straight contests.

Omer Asik had 13 points and 18 rebounds in the victory.

Lin took over the reigns at point guard this season for Kyle Lowry, who had been with Houston the previous three-plus years. Lowry had just seven points for Toronto, which has dropped five consecutive games.

The Rockets led 68-53 with 10:04 to play in the third before the hosts used a 28-14 run to put the game out of reach.

Patterson had 13 of his 22 points during the run, while Harden chipped in 10, including a pair of free throws to cap the swing and make it 96-67.

"They went on a 7-0 run to start the third quarter and that began the avalanche," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said.

Houston took a 99-77 edge into the fourth and Toronto couldn't cut the deficit below double digits in the final frame.

The Rockets led, 29-23, after a quarter of play and 61-51 at halftime.

Game Notes

Toronto fell to 3-15 all-time in Houston and have lost six straight ... Andrea Bargnani had 21 points for Toronto ... Chandler Parson recorded 18 points, seven boards and four assists for Houston.






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