HOUSTON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- James Harden scored 31 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 104-92 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night at Toyota Center.

Omer Asik had 21 points and eight rebounds for the Rockets, and Patrick Patterson, who was back after seven games lost to a bruised right foot, scored 13 of his points in the fourth quarter.

Despite their slow starts, the Hornets emerged in the fourth quarter.

Greivis Vasquez and Ryan Anderson carried the Hornets on a 16-8 run at the start of the fourth quarter to tie the score at 82. But the Rockets still managed to withstand the Hornets' late surge.

Anderson scored 18 points off the bench, and Greivis Vasquez had15 points and 14 assists for the Hornets.