James Harden scores 51 as Rockets edge Kings

James Harden strengthened his case for the MVP award with a career-high 51 points, and the Houston Rockets squandered a huge early lead but held on for a 115-111 win over the visiting Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.An 8-0 run by Harden, which he capped with a three-point play, pushed the lead to 112-104.DeMarcus Cousins led the Kings with his second career triple-double with 24 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists after missing Monday's game to rest.Aron Baynes had 18 points, Manu Ginobili added 13 and visiting San Antonio clinched a playoff berth with its fifth straight win. ...Anthony Davis scored 20 points and visiting New Orleans inched closer to a possible playoff berth.The Pelicans' third straight victory, coupled with Oklahoma City's loss to Dallas, brought the Pelicans within 1½ games of the Thunder for eighth place in the Western Conference.Chris Paul had a season-high 41 points and 17 assists and visiting Los Angeles rallied in the second half for a win that denied Portland a chance at clinching the Northwest Division title. ...Kelly Olynyk scored 19 points after nearly missing the game with an eye injury suffered hours before tip-off, and host Boston won a...