The Houston Rockets (46 - 22) defeated the Denver Nuggets (26 - 43) 118 - 108 on Thursday at the Toyota Center. James Harden reminded everyone why he's an MVP candidate Thursday with his seventh outing of 40 or more points, setting a new career - high with 50 points. Fittingly, he hit two free throws to eclipse his previous career - high. Overall, he was 22 - of - 25 from the line against the Nuggets. For comparison's sake, the Nuggets were 11 - of - 19 from the charity stripe in this contest. With Thursday's win, the Rockets completed the season sweep of the Nuggets. Denver had its full complement of players available for this game after resting Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari, and Kenneth Faried on Monday. Faried recorded a double - double with 19 points and 12 rebounds and Lawson had a double - double of his own with 12 points and 10 assists. The Nuggets have two games remaining on their five - game road trip, which continues Friday in Miami. Houston has now won three in a row and five of its last seven. Patrick Beverley was able to play through elbow soreness and finished with 10 points and seven assists over 37 minutes. In addition to his 50 points, Harden also pulled down 10 rebounds to notch the double - double. Terrence Jones moved back into the starting lineup for this game, but exited with a rib injury after just nine minutes on the floor and did not return. The Rockets will be idle Friday before hosting the Suns on Saturday.
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