TAIPEI // James Harden scored 21 points to lead the Houston Rockets over the Indiana Pacers 107-98 on Sunday in an NBA exhibition game played in Taipei, Taiwan.
Local hero Jeremy Lin added 17 for the Rockets, who led almost throughout.
Paul George’s 19 points led the Pacers.
Lin, whose parents emigrated from Taiwan to the U.S. In the 1970s, was a clear favorite of the capacity crowd and did not disappoint with a dazzling array of three-pointers and pinpoint passing.
The point guard went 6-for-8 from the field and 3-for-4 from three point line shooting. He added four assists and there steals in 35 minutes of play.
Guard Francisco Garcia came off the bench to score 15 in only 17 minutes on 5-for-8 shooting.
Dwight Howard, Houston’s marquee off-season acquisition, showed he was still getting into game shape for the second straight game, though his Taipei effort was an improvement on his performance in Manila. The center shot 5-for-13, scoring 10 points with six rebounds and two blocks.
The Rockets also won in the Philippines 116-96. Howard managed just three rebounds, tying for a team-low among players who were in for at least 20 minutes,
In that game Lin played 23 minutes and scored 14 points. He went 3-for-6 shooting but was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line and chipped in five assists and six rebounds. Harden scored 21 on Thursday as well.
The win wrapped up Houston’s tour of Far East Asia. They will return to the United States and resume their normal pre-season schedule on October 16 against the Orlando Magic.
