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Rockets win first game after firing coach McHale

Xinhua, November 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

James Harden scored 45 points, including all nine for Houston in overtime, as the Rockets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 108-103 on Wednesday after firing coach Kevin McHale earlier in the day. 

   Corey Brewer made an off-balance 3-pointer to force overtime and Harden took over from there, finishing with 11 assists, eight rebounds and five steals as the Rockets capped an emotional day at the Toyota Center. 

   It almost ended with a fifth straight loss before Brewer made his shot with 0.9 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 99. 

   The Rockets reached the Western Conference final last season, but that can't save McHale from being sacked after four straight defeats. General manager Daryl Morey said the fierce competition in the West forced him to make the decision.

   Houston players acknowledged they felt the burden of the decision to dismiss McHale.

   "We are responsible," said swingman Corey Brewer. "Coach can't make us play hard. That's up to us.

   "It's got to be a wakeup call. We've got to get better."

   With interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff at the helm for the first time, the Rockets delivered a gritty performance.

   Bickerstaff, promoted to coach for the rest of the season from his position as an assistant to McHale, said his goal was to "get back to who we were when we had our most success."

   The San Antonio Spurs are slotted comfortably into second place, taking their record to 9-2 with a 109-98 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.

   French point guard Tony Parker scored a season-high 25 points and forward Kawhi Leonard added 20 for the Spurs, who are a perfect 5-0 at home.  

   Backup guard Patty Mills of Australia scored 17 points, veteran Tim Duncan added 12 points and 11 rebounds and forward LaMarcus Aldridge scored 11 points with 12 rebounds. 

   The Oklahoma City Thunder gained a needed win, downing the injury ravaged New Orleans Pelicans 110-103 to end a two-game slide.

   Russell Westbrook poured in 43 points, handed out eight assists and pulled down nine rebounds for the Thunder, who were without former NBA Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant for a fourth straight game.

   "We got a win," Westbrook said. "We worked hard this week and the last few days to get a win, so I am happy about that."

   Durant, recovering from a strained left hamstring, took part in full-court shooting drills on Wednesday morning.  Endi