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Bob Levey/Associated Press
HOUSTON — James Harden had 53 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds for his second straight triple-double, and the Houston Rockets beat the short-handed Knicks, 129-122, on Saturday night.
Harden set a career highs for points and matched his career best for assists. He passed his previous career best of 51 points on a 3-pointer with 1 minute 16 seconds left, leading to a standing ovation.
The Knicks got within 3 points several times in the fourth quarter — the last on a layup by Joakim Noah with about four minutes left. But Harden responded to Noah’s basket with three free throws before dishing to Ryan Anderson for a 3-pointer that put the Rockets up by 119-111.
Another 3-pointer by Anderson with less than two minutes left extended the lead to 124-113.
Harden, who had 30 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists a 140-116 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, completed his eighth triple-double of the season when he…
