Rockets 108-101 Mavericks

The Rockets beat the Mavericks 108-101. Harden scores 24 points, Ariza scores 19 points, and Smith scores a double-double (15 points and 12 rebounds). Nowitzki scores 21 points, Chandler scores eight points for the Mavericks. Harden on Howard’s comeback:

Having ‘Big Fella’ back today kind of helped us out a little bit, We’ve got to get his rhythm going ’cause we’re going to need him in the postseason.

Howard on knee protection:

There was a point in the game where I got kneed in my knee, but gotta go back to the Hakeem knee pads now, The most important thing is for me to stay healthy and kind of get into a rhythm for these last couple of games, then in the playoffs, really stride out.

Chandler:

I feel like in the second half we slowed our tempo down. I think we had them on their heels in the first half.