James Harden and the Houston Rockets are turning into a big problem for the San Antonio Spurs.

Harden scored 28 points and Dwight Howard had 15 points and 20 rebounds, leading the Rockets to a 111-98 victory over the Spurs on Wednesday.

Each of Houston's starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division.

"I think we can be very good," said Houston forward Chandler Parsons.

"It's obviously a process, and we are getting better every single day. But when we defend like that, rebound well and get out in transition, we are tough to beat."

Harden scored 31 points in Houston's 112-106 victory against San Antonio on Nov 30. The Rockets have won their past three against the Spurs dating to last season and are averaging 108.8 points over the past six games in the series.

"We just didn't give very good performances," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "You can live with that from time to time. Nobody's going to play perfect every night. But you can't combine poor performances with a lack of physicality and a lack of discipline. They whipped us. They whipped us good. That's an embarrassing loss."

- Associated Press

(China Daily 12/27/2013 page23)