HOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets were determined to get off to a fast start and keep the pressure on Philadelphia after seeing the 76ers rally after trailing big on several occasions this season.They executed that plan perfectly.James Harden scored 23 of his 33 points in the first quarter, and the Rockets cruised to a 115-88 win over the 76ers on Monday night.We came in, made shots and defensively really locked in and didnt give them any confidence early in the game, Harden said. Theyve had a couple of games where theyve lost down the stretch against some really good teams, especially at home. So it was important for us to go out there and take advantage of the opportunity.Harden, who posted a triple-double in his previous two games, added nine assists and seven rebounds.The Rockets had a three-point lead with five minutes left in the first quarter when Harden took over, scoring all of Houstons points in a 17-9 surge to make it 35-24. Harden, who was named Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday, made a pair of 3s, all three shots after being fouled on a 3-pointer and a nifty reverse layup in that span.He made each of the eight shots he attempted in the quarter to set a career high for points in a period.The first quarter was ridiculous, Houston coach Mike DAntoni said.The Sixers were led by Joel Embiid and Ersan Ilyasova, who had 13 points apiece.Harden cooled off after his huge first quarter and didnt score in the second period, but the Rockets still had a 65-52 lead at the break.The 76ers made just five of 19 shots in the third quarter, and Houston stretched its lead to 93-68 entering the fourth.We felt like it was still in us to make this into a game, but the game got away from us, coach Brett Brown said. We saw a great player dominate the first period and we dug ourselves a hole from the beginning.Harden is off to a stellar start this season in his first season in DAntonis fast-paced offense. He has scored at least 24 points in each of Houstons first 10 games this season.TIP-INS76ers: Embiid, who returned after sitting out the last game to rest, led Philadelphia with 10 rebounds. ... Nik Stauskas scored 12 points, and Dario Saric and Gerald Henderson each had 11.Rockets: The Rockets made 17 3-pointers and have made at least 10 3s in nine straight games, which ties a franchise record. ... Nene had 13 points for his third double-digit game this season. He added a block to give him at least one in six straight games. ... Clint Capela had 13 rebounds.BLOCK PARTYThe Rockets had a season-high 10 blocks. Capela led the way with a career-high five and five other players, including Harden, had one apiece. Harden raved about the work of Capela, who took over for Dwight Howard at center this season.If he plays like that were going to be really good, Harden said.THEY SAID ITPhiladelphias Robert Covington on the struggles of the 76ers, who have won just one game: We are still trying to figure things out. A lot of guys havent played a lot of basketball together. We see a lot of what were capable of, its just a matter of time before all things come together.BEVERLEYS RETURNHouston guard Patrick Beverley is nearing a return after missing all season after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. DAntoni said he expects him to play sometime this week and there is a possibility he could make his debut as early as Thursday. DAntoni said he would start when he returns.Beverley averaged 9.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 71 games last season.UP NEXT76ers: Host Washington on Wednesday as the team begins a stretch of four of the next five at home.Rockets: Will make a one-game road trip to Oklahoma City on Wednesday before returning for two at home against Portland and Utah. Cavaliers Jerseys Outlet .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Cheap Cavaliers Jerseys . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. http://www.cheapcavaliersjerseyschina.com/ .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. Discount Cavaliers Jerseys . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Authentic Cavaliers Jerseys . Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court. NEW YORK -- Kevin Anderson threw two of his four touchdown passes and Fordham scored 38 unanswered points in the first quarter of its 83-21 rout of Division II-Elizabeth City in the Rams home opener Saturday -- their seventh win in the last eight home openers.Fordham wasted little time bouncing back from a season-opening loss to Navy. Makay Redd kicked a 42-yard field goal less than two minutes into the game and Anderson found Robbie Cantelli with a 38-yard scoring pass barely five minutes in. Noah Fittzgerald returned an Elizabeth City fumble nine yards for a touchdown 18 seconds later to make it 17-0.ddddddddddddThree Fordham runners finished with more than 100 yards rushing. Chase Edmonds had 155 yards on 16 carries and scored a touchdown. DAngelo Palladino added 116 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown and Kendall Pearcey had 115 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns. ' ' '