Palo Alto High grad Jeremy Lin tossed in 18 points and added six assists to help the host Houston Rockets to a 125-103 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night in NBA action. Lin was 8-for-12 from the floor.

Houston's James Harden led the way with 33 points and seven assists as he topped 20 points for the seventh straight game. Harden made 17 of 18 free throws, including six in the fourth quarter, as the Rockets improved to 9-2 in their past 11 home games.

"We were both just playing off of each other," Line said of meshing with Harden in the backcourt. "We were in a good rhythm today for sure. He attacked and I attacked, and that's how we like it . . . I am definitely being more aggressive."

Houston has buried at least 51.3 percent of its field-goal attempts and poured in at least 52 points in the paint in back-to-back games thanks to Lin and Harden's aggressive penetration and ball movement. The Rockets' starting backcourt has combined for 25.5 points on 57.9 percent (33-for-57) shooting and 12.0 assists per game over the last two contests.

"He's been so consistent getting to the foul line," Lin said of Harden. "People have had a tough time finding an answer for him. He's doing a great job keeping us going."

The Sixers remained within striking distance, trailing 98-90 more than four minutes into the fourth quarter, until the Rockets held Philadelphia to just two baskets over the next four minutes. Houston's success on the defensive end sparked a 17-5 run that gave it an insurmountable 115-95 lead with 3:48 remaining.

— Palo Alto Online Sports/Associated Press

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