HOUSTON — Spencer Dinwiddie scored 25 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, and the Brooklyn Nets spoiled James Harden‘s 58-point night with a 145-142 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
Harden had his second straight season high after scoring 57 in a victory over Memphis on Monday night, but was only 5-of-19 from 3-point range. The Rockets shot an NBA-record 70 3s, making just 23.
Harden has scored at least 30 points in 18 straight games and has reached 40 in nine of the last 12. He was 16-of-34 overall from the field, made 21 of 23 free throws and had 10 rebounds and six assists.
Dinwiddie forced overtime, making three 3-pointers in the last 30 seconds of regulation. In the extra period, he hit the go-ahead basket with 28 seconds left.
After Harden made three free throws to give the Rockets a one-point lead, James Nunnally — who signed a 10-day contract Wednesday — hit a 3-pointer to make it 142-135 with 1:28 left.
Treveon Graham made a 3 for Brooklyn and Jarrett Allen made a basket but missed a free throw to cut the lead to 142-140. But the Nets grabbed a rebound and Dinwiddie, who had seven points in OT, made a three-point play to put Brooklyn up 143-142. Austin Rivers missed a 3 for Houston, and Joe Harris made two free throws to make it 145-142 with 1.6 seconds left.
Houston had a chance to tie it at the buzzer, but Gerald Green‘s shot clanged off the rim.
The Rockets broke their own record for 3-point attempts after shooting 61 against New Orleans on Dec. 16, 2016. Houston also holds the record for most 3-pointers made after hitting 26 in a win over Washington this season. Green, who did not attempt a 2-point basket, made 5 of 15.
The Rockets were up by 11 with about 2 1/2 minutes left when Brooklyn used a 9-3 run to get to 127-122 with about 30 seconds left.
P.J. Tucker made two free throws after that, and Dinwiddie made a 3 for Brooklyn with 26.2 seconds remaining to cut it to 128-125. Harden made one of two free throws, and Dinwiddie struck again with another 3 about five seconds later to get Brooklyn within one.
Tucker missed two free throws, but Harden grabbed a rebound with 12.7 seconds left. He made both free throws, and Dinwiddie made a third straight 3-pointer to tie it up with 8.4 seconds left. Harden had a chance to win it in regulation, but his 3-point attempt bounced off the rim.
TIP-INS
Nets: Jared Dudley missed his third straight game with a strained left hamstring. … Shabazz Napier returned after missing one game with tightness in his right hamstring. … Rondae Hollis-Jefferson returned after sitting out the last seven games with a right adductor strain.
Rockets: Eric Gordon had 20 points in his return after missing eight games with a bruised right knee. … James Ennis missed the game after cutting his left leg in a fall at his house. Coach Mike D’Antoni said he should return for the next game. … Chris Paul missed his 13th game in a row with a strained left hamstring … Clint Capela missed his second straight game with an injured right thumb. … Brandon Knight sat out with a sore left knee.
UP NEXT
Nets: At Orlando on Friday night.
Rockets: Host Lakers on Saturday night.