Rockets 108, Nuggets 96: Dwight Howard had 26 points and 13 rebounds in his first game back after missing 11 with a knee sprain and Houston held off visiting Denver.

Donatas Motiejunas contributed a career-high 25 points and James Harden finished with 24 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for the Rockets. Trevor Ariza added 13 points and eight rebounds for Houston.

Darrell Arthur matched his season high with 20 points off the bench for the Nuggets. Ty Lawson added 19 points and 12 assists and J.J. Hickson matched his season high with 14 points while also collecting 10 rebounds for Denver.

The Nuggets jumped out to a 10-point lead after the first quarter and stretched it to 14 with 8:06 left in the second quarter before the Rockets came back with a 16-2 run to tie the score at 42 with 4:20 left in the first half. Another run of 12-2 by Houston before the half ended extended the lead to 54-46 and the Rockets took a six-point edge into the break.

Houston maintained a seven-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter and got the lead into double figures by scoring six of the first eight points in the final frame. Denver went scoreless for 3:41 of the fourth, allowing the Rockets to extend the lead to 15 with 6:09 remaining.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Denver F Kenneth Faried limped to the locker room in the second half after injuring his ankle and returned late in the game. … The Rockets are 10-1 this season with Howard in the lineup. ... Denver G Nate Robinson was listed as probable after missing the last three games with a back injury but he did not appear in the game.