Harden returned, but the Sixers were eliminated in two overtimes in Houston

James Hardson returned after a 14-game absence on the field where he had the best days of his career in Houston. But the Rockets didn’t let him enjoy his return as he would have liked, winning 132-123 with the Sixers after a shocking game and two overtimes.

Jalen Green was the winners’ top scorer with 27 points, with Kevin Porter adding 24 points, Tarry Eason 18 points and Jabari Parker 16 points, 11 rebounds and the three-pointer that “blocked” the game in the second overtime.

Harden was noticeably rusty for the Sixers, holding 21 points on 0/8 2-pointers, 4/11 3-pointers, 9/11 shots, 7 assists and 7 turnovers in 38 minutes of action. So turned the terrible night of Joel Embiid, who stopped at 39 points and added 27 points to Tobias Harris.

THE DODECALPTA: 27-30, 56-55, 90-84, 108-108, 117-117, 132-123

MISSILES: Smith 16 (3 3s, 11 rebounds), Shengun 8 (8 rebounds), Gordon 14 (3), Porter 24 (7/17 shooting, 4 3s, 6 rebounds, 5 turnovers), Green 27 (0 /7 3- Pointers, 7 assists, 7 fouls), Fernando 6, Garuba, Martin 14 (1), Eason 18 (2 3-pointers, 6 rebounds), Matthews 5 (1/5 3-pointers), Nix

sixes: Tucker 3 (6 rebounds), Harris 27 (7/8 3-pointers), Embiid 39 (1 3-pointers, 7 rebounds, 5 turnovers), Harden 21 (4/19 shooting, 4/11 3-pointers, 7 Assists, 7 turnovers), Melton 9 (3 threes, 8 rebounds, 6 assists), House 4, Reed 6, Harrell, Tybull, Milton 11 (1), Korkmaz 3 (1)