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. Cheap Retro Air Jordan 1 . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. Wholesale Authentic Air Jordan 1 . Patrice Bergeron and Daniel Paille scored 20 seconds apart a few minutes after Stamkos was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a broken right leg, and the Bruins beat the Lightning 3-0 on Monday afternoon. http://www.wholesaleairjordan1.us/ . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. Cheap Air Jordan 1 . Radwanska, making her debut in the Seoul tournament, hit eight aces in a match that lasted 1 hour, 4 minutes at Olympic Park tennis stadium. "It was definitely a very good match -- I was playing really good tennis," Radwanska said. Cheap Air Jordan 1 Free Shipping . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Update 2: Neil Bhasin, managing partner of Dream Team, has issued a statement:We had signed Anti/ Dabuz prior to their CEO win and top placements, salaries have changed vastly since then, it made sense for them to take a more lucrative offer. We had picked up these players after the speculation of the Twitch / Nintendo circuit being announced very soon, without that it makes little sense for us to keep a smash roster. We came to a mutually beneficial agreement, and this is why Anti / Dabuz and dT are parting on good terms!Update: Since the time of publication, Dabuz announced that he has left Dream Team.Original story continues below.Just two months after picking them up, Dream Team has allegedly failed to pay its two Super Smash Bros. for Wii U players Jason ANTi Bates and Samuel Dabuz Buzby on time, with payments being currently 21 days late, sources close to the players and organization tell ESPN. As a result, ANTi has come to an agreement to terminate his contract with Dream Team, which he announced today on Twitter.As of today @DreamTeamGG and I are parting ways! TThank you for the oppurtunity ??- Jason Bates (@Anti) August 22, 2016The team was also behind on paying its Super Smash Bros.dddddddddddd Melee player Hugo HugS Gonzalez, but did pay him earlier today a partial amount. HugS intends to stay with Dream Team, while Dabuzs fate is currently undecided.According to sources, ANTi and Dabuzs contract state that if theyre not paid for three weeks after the contracted pay date, the first of each month, then they are able to lawfully terminate their contracts.All three players joined Dream Team in June, with HugS joining on June 2 and ANTi and Dabuz joining on June 22. Prior to expanding to Super Smash Bros., Dream Team had previously competed in League of Legends and Call of Duty. The news of missing payments for ANTi, Dabuz and HugS come after allegations of additional missed or late payments in the teams former League of Legends and Call of Duty holdings.Dream Team declined to a request for comment. ' ' '