Red-hot Harden leads Houston's long deliveries

HOUSTON - After beating Houston in their first two meetings this season, Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale said he expected the Rockets to come out swinging on Saturday night.

Sure enough, Houston jumped out to a 9-0 lead by draining three straight 3s in the first two minutes and never looked back en route to a 111-96 win over Memphis.

James Harden scored 38 points, and Houston hit 16 of 45 from beyond the arc, including 6 of 14 from Harden, who added eight assists and four rebounds.