James Harden scores 45 for Rockets and their interim coach

James Harden scored 45 points, including all nine for Houston in overtime, and the Houston Rockets beat the visiting Portland Trail Blazers 108-103 on Wednesday night after firing head coach Kevin McHale earlier in the day. Corey Brewer made an off-balance three-pointer to force overtime and Harden took over from there, finishing with 11 assists, eight rebounds and five steals as the Rockets capped off an emotional day at the Toyota Center. The Rockets played much of the game with sloppy mistakes and dreadful shooting. Interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff, son of longtime NBA coach Bernie Bickerstaff, served in his first game as head coach. Tony Parker scored a season-high 25 points and San Antonio didn't trail in its sixth straight victory. Russell Westbrook had 43 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, and Oklahoma City recovered from a slow start to beat injury-depleted New Orleans. Ryan Anderson scored 30 points for New Orleans (1-11), which suited up only nine players in its fifth straight loss. Dirk Nowitzki scored 23 points, Wesley Matthews had 18 and Dallas erased an 18-point, first-half deficit to defeat host Boston for its fifth consecutive win. Jared Sullinger had 18 points...