James Harden matched his career high with 61 points, including 27 in the first quarter, to lead host Houston to a 111-105 victory over San Antonio on Friday night.
Harden hit three straight three-pointers to give the Rockets a 103-100 lead and scored all of Houston's points in a 13-2 run late in the fourth quarter.
Harden topped the 50-point mark for the eighth time this season, compared with 10 such performances from the rest of the league combined. He matched his career-best total set earlier this season against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
So who can stop him, Coach?
"Me. I can sit him on the bench," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "That's about it."
Oklahoma City 116, Toronto 109: Paul George scored 28 points, Russell Westbrook had 18 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds, and the Thunder beat the host Raptors.
The Thunder ended a four-game losing streak and avenged Wednesday's 123-114 home defeat to Toronto.
Denver 111, New York 93: Nikola Jokic had 21 points and 17 rebounds, Jamal Murray scored 18 points, and the visiting Nuggets beat the Knicks for their sixth straight victory. Gary Harris chipped in 14 points for Denver, which moved into a tie with defending champion Golden State for first place in the Western Conference with 11 games remaining for each team.
