Harden’s hot third quarter in return fuels Rockets’ win

James Harden wasn’t quite back in MVP form, yet he was good enough when the Houston Rockets needed him.

Harden scored 25 points, including 11 in a decisive run in the third quarter in his return to the Houston lineup, and the Rockets defeated the Chicago Bulls 96-88 on Saturday night.

Harden, the NBA’s reigning MVP, had missed three games with a strained left hamstring. He connected for 11 straight points, including three 3-pointers, in a 1:59 span of the third as the Rockets went on a 15-0 run.

“Just playing in a full game, contact and all that, felt like it’s been a minute,” Harden said. “So I just wanted to get out there and just try to be myself.

“I think I did a pretty good job of that. Too many turnovers (eight), but once I get my flow back in rhythm, those will (decrease).”

Harden also had seven assists, and guard Chris Paul has no doubts Harden be his old self before long.

“It was good to see James get going in his first game back,” Paul said. “For us, it’s about building.”

Carmelo Anthony had 17 points and James Ennis added 15 despite just over 17 minutes of playing time as the Rockets won their second game in two nights after starting the season 1-5.

Chicago led 59-58 midway through the third quarter before the Rockets and Harden went ahead for good, outscoring the Bulls 21-7 in the period.

Zach LaVine led Chicago with 21 points, and Wendell Carter Jr. had 14 points and 13 rebounds. Jabari Parker added 15 points as the Bulls lost their fourth straight game going 0-4 in the homestand and dropped their fifth straight to the Rockets.

PACERS 102, CELTICS 101 >> Victor Oladipo connected on a 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds remaining, lifting Indiana to a victory over Boston.

Oladipo finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Tyreke Evans added 17 points for the Pacers, who shot 41 percent (36 for 87).

Marcus Morris had a team-high 23 points and six rebounds for the Celtics, who shot 43 percent (38 for 88) and had their four-game winning streak snapped.

NUGGETS 103, JAZZ 88 >> Gary Harris scored 20 points and Malik Beasley and Mason Plumlee hit key 3-pointers in a fourthquarter flurry, leading Denver to a victory over Utah.

76ERS 109, PISTONS 99 >> Joel Embiid scored 32 of his 39 points in a dominating first half and had 17 rebounds to lead Philadelphia.

Embiid made 10 of 18 field goals and 18 of 23 free throws to help Philadelphia improve to 6-0 at home.

Blake Griffin had 38 points, 13 rebounds and six assists to lead Detroit, which lost its fourth in a row.

SPURS 109, PELICANS 95 >> DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points, LaMarcus Aldridge added 22 points and 12 rebounds and San Antonio defeated New Orleans, extending the Pelicans’ losing streak to five games. HAWKS 123, HAWKS 118 >> Trae Young had 24 points and a career-high 15 assists, and Atlanta beat Josh Richardson and Miami.

Taurean Prince and Dewayne Dedmon each scored 15 points for the Hawks.

Richardson scored 32 points, setting a career high for the second time this week.

HORNETS 126, CAVALIERS 94>> Jeremy Lamb had a season-high 19 points and eight rebounds, and Charlotte had no problem defeating Cleveland.

• A person familiar with the negotiations says Tyson Chandler is getting his contract bought out by the Phoenix Suns, and plans to sign with the Lakers.