LOS ANGELES (AP) — James Harden scored 17 of his 25 points in Houston's dominant first quarter, and the Rockets rolled past the Los Angeles Clippers 105-92 on Wednesday night for their 14th consecutive victory.
The Rockets (48-13) matched their longest winning streak of the season and remained a half-game ahead of Golden State for the NBA's best record.
Clint Capela and Eric Gordon each scored 22 points for the Rockets, who made 13 3-pointers.
Tobias Harris led the Clippers with 24 points, with Montrezl Harrell added 22. Lou Williams and Milos Teodosic each scored 13.
The Clippers played the previous night in Denver and looked it.
They missed 16 of their first 19 shots, had 11 turnovers and trailed by as many as 27 points in the first quarter. Harden faked Wesley Johnson so badly on one move that Johnson fell to the floor. Harden stared at him as Johnson got back up, then sunk a 3-pointer for a 31-7 lead.
The Clippers shot 22.7 percent (5 of 22) for the period and trailed 34-12 at the end of the quarter.
The Clippers overcame a 19-point deficit to win in Denver on Tuesday, but never got closer than eight against the Rockets.
