Harden's return helps Houston lock up third seed

HOUSTON - After missing his first game of the season on Sunday because he had the flu, James Harden was thrilled to not only be back on the court on Wednesday but to be feeling like himself again.

Harden scored 31 points as the Houston Rockets, held on to outlast the Denver Nuggets for a 110-104 win that secured the third seed in the Western Conference.

"I can walk and talk now," Harden said.