\Western Conference Southwest Division team Houston Rockets gave the Pacific Division team Phoenix Suns to its 41^st loss of the season with a 116-100 victory on Friday night at the Talking Stick Resort Arena.

James Harden, the league's second leading scorer, registered a double-double game performance of 27 point and 10 rebounds to go along with 7 assists, 3 steals and 1 block shot to refill the tank of the Rockets to move back to .500 at 28 wins and 28 losses to remain in contention for a playoff spot in the West.

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"We've got an opportunity in the second half to make a push," Harden, who was the 2012 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, said. "That's one of (26) left. A good start."

Forward Trevor Ariza contributed 25 points and six rebounds with 5 steals, and guard Patrick Beverley had 18 points, including 2-of-3 from the three-point area and six rebounds for the Rockets, who have won seven of the last eight games against the struggling Suns.

Dwight Howard added 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals, while Clint Capela and Montrezl Harrell chipped in 11 points and 10 points respectively.

The Rockets dominated the boards, grabbing a team-combined 51 rebounds compare to the Sun's 40, including the 13-9 advantage in the offensive rebounding.  Houston was able to capitalize in the shaded area dropping 56 points compared to the 30 points the Phoenix has made.

"Their players just took over," Suns interim coach Earl Watson said. "They went into the break (with) coaches questioning their attitude. They responded against us."

Bosnian forward Mirza Teletovic finished the game with a season-high 25 points and added 8 rebounds for Phoenix, while forward Jon Leuer had 16 points, 6 rebounds and 2 block shots.

Newly acquired big man Kris Humphries had his game debut with 18 points and 12 boards, while Devin Booker and Archie Goodwin scored 10 points each for the Suns, who have lost 10 straight games in a row.

TagsNBA, James Harden, houston rockets