The Houston Rockets (19 - 5) defeated the Denver Nuggets (10 - 15) 115 - 111 in overtime on Wednesday. Houston has won three straight and seven of their last eight games. James Harden led the way with a game - high 41 points, which was his second 40 - point game in the Rockets' last three contests. Dwight Howard was questionable coming into the game as he continues to work his way completely back from a knee injury, but he played 43 minutes and put up 24 points and 16 rebounds. Isaiah Canaan returned from seven - game absence with a sprained ankle. He played seven minutes off the bench. The Rockets shot just 41 percent from the field, but they stayed in the game because they went to the free - throw line 48 times, converting 37 of their attempts. Houston will return home to host the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. Denver is on a three - game losing streak, securing only one win over their last eight games as they've been traversing a particularly difficult stretch of their schedule. Kenneth Faried was moved back into the starting lineup, and he put up 11 points and 11 rebounds in 32 minutes. Ty Lawson nearly dropped a whole role of dimes, putting up 12 points and 16 assists in 47 minutes. Danilo Gallinari returned from a three - game sabbatical due to knee soreness. He put up 16 points in 26 minutes off the bench. The Nuggets will host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
["TeamStat(G,'Nuggets') has 15 Percentage of field goals ,has 111 Losses ,has 10 Total points ."
 "TeamStat(G,'Rockets') has 41 Percentage of field goals ,has 5 Losses ,has 115 Total points ,has 19 Wins ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Dwight Howard') has 43 Assists ,has 24 Defensive rebounds ,has 16 Minutes played ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'James Harden') has 3 Assists ,has 41 Defensive rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Isaiah Canaan') has 7 Assists ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Kenneth Faried') has 32 Assists ,has 11 Defensive rebounds ,has 11 Minutes played ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Ty Lawson') has 16 Assists ,has 47 Defensive rebounds ,has 12 Minutes played ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Danilo Gallinari') has 26 Assists ,has 16 Defensive rebounds ."]