Harden scores 27 points and the Rockets top Bulls, 101-90

HOUSTON (AP) -- James Harden had 27 points and the Houston Rockets picked up a 101-90 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night despite missing the rebounding of the injured Dwight Howard.

Harden scored 15 of his points in a pivotal second quarter that helped the Rockets build a lead that the Bulls they never relinquished.

The Rockets have won five of six. The Bulls lost their third straight game for the first time all season and have now lost four of five.

Harden overwhelmed the Bulls in the second, menacing small forward Jimmy Butler in multiple one-on-one battles to score 13 consecutive points in the fading minutes of the first half.

Derrick Rose scored 23 points, playing in his 12th consecutive game for the first time since the 2010-11 season. Jimmy Butler led Chicago with 27 points.

Despite the win, the Rockets missed Howard's boards. He was out for a fifth straight game with a right knee injury and Chicago's big men dominated the glass, 60-47.

Joakim Noah himself pulled down 19 rebounds in 32 minutes.

In all other categories, however, the Rockets owned Chicago's big men, outscoring the Bulls 50-28 in the paint and notching eight blocks to just five from Chicago, who entered the game as the league's leaders in blocks at 6.7 per game.

In their previous matchup in Chicago on Jan. 5, the Bulls won 114-105, assisted largely by attempted 30 free throws, making 27, while the Rockets made just 3 of 5. Wednesday's game was more balanced, with Houston converting 17 free throws, while Chicago made 20.

The Bulls jumped out to an early lead as the Rockets struggled to convert shots, especially from beyond the arc. The Rockets eventually found their touch and finished the first quarter with the game tied at 27.

Led by Harden's heroics of the second quarter, the Rockets established a 57-48 lead at halftime. With 22 points at the break, Harden was Houston's only scorer in double figures.

TIP-INS

Bulls: PF Paul Gasol had a double-double in his 10th consecutive game, finishing with 16 points and 12 rebounds. ... F Mike Dunleavy missed his 17th straight game with a right ankle injury suffered on Jan. 1.

Rockets: F Trevor Ariza complemented Harden's performance with 20 points, matching Harden's 3-for-5 line from beyond the arc. ... Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon sat courtside, next to the broadcast table with former Rocket Shane Battier and former Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy.

UP NEXT

Bulls: Visit New Orleans on Saturday before finishing a six-game road trip in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday.

Rockets: Home against Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.