AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 31 (UPI) -- James Harden celebrated his new contract with a big performance Wednesday that helped rally Houston to a 105-96 win over Detroit.
The Rockets trailed by 11 in the opening minute of the fourth period before storming past the Pistons.
Houston sent two players and three draft picks, two of them first-rounders, to Oklahoma City Tuesday to obtain Harden and three others. Shortly before the Rockets opened their season against the Pistons, they announced they had signed Harden to a deal reportedly worth $80 million over 5 years.
Harden then went out and scored 37 points against the Pistons while handing out 12 assists. His 3-pointer with 10:46 to play touched off a 25-4 run that put Houston in control.
The game also marked the Houston debut of guard Jeremy Lin, obtained in free agency from New York and now the Rockets' starting point guard. He scored 12 points with eight assists.
Houston shot 51 percent from the field, made 10-of-26 3-point attempts and outscored the Pistons in the fourth quarter 33-15.
Brandon Knight led Detroit with 15 points and Greg Monroe had 14.
