Houston Rockets vs. Washington Wizards: Live Score, Highlights and Reaction

James Harden scored 24 points, Josh Smith and Dwight Howard each had double-doubles and the short-handed Houston Rockets defeated the Washington Wizards, 99-91, at the Verizon Center Sunday afternoon, moving them into a second-place tie with the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference.

The Grizzlies play the San Antonio Spurs later on Sunday night.

Despite an incredibly sloppy start, the Rockets, who were without Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas, Patrick Beverley and Kostas Papanickolaou, were in control for most of this contest.

Houston turned the ball over nine times in the first quarter but still managed to hold a 28-20 lead after the first 12 minutes, thanks much in part to 12 first-period points from Smith.

Smith and the Rockets continued their hot shooting in the second quarter and started taking better care of the basketball. As a result, they led by as many as 16 and took a 59-46 lead into halftime.

The Wizards may a few runs in the second half, trimming the lead to four in the fourth quarter. However, Houston went on a 15-5 spurt to thwart Washington's comeback and earn the win.

Harden only shot 7-of-20 from the floor, but he went 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. Smith recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Howard posted 11 and 10 in his third game back from a knee injury that forced him to miss considerable time.

The Rockets ended up shooting 43 percent from the floor and committed 20 turnovers. On the plus side, they held the Wizards to 39 percent shooting. Washington had 17 giveaways of its own.

John Wall led the Wizards with 25 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds in a valiant effort.

Houston will travel up to Canada to take on the Toronto Raptors at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday night.

Meanwhile, Washington will remain home and host the Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET.