Harden's last-second jumper lifts Rockets over Spurs

HOUSTON, TX – MARCH 24: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball against Danny Green #4 of the San Antonio Spurs on March 24, 2013 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

Houston, March 25 (IANS): James Harden’s jumper in closing time lifted the Houston Rockets to a white-knuckle 96-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association (NBA) here at Toyota Center.

Tony Parker scored 23 points, including 10 in a row, to put the Spurs ahead with just under two minutes left Sunday night, reports Xinhua.

The Spurs led 95-94 when Harden got the ball from Omer Asik and sank an off-balance jumper with 4.5 seconds left to lift the Rockets to the close win.

Harden finished with 29 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Chandler Parsons scored 20 points and Asik grabbed 14 rebounds for the Rockets.

Tim Duncan had 17 points and seven rebounds for the Spurs.

The Rockets improved to 39-31 to get within a half-game of the sixth-seeded Golden State Warriors.