AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- James Harden has made a living at the free throw line in recent years. This time, his touch was off when it mattered most.Harden, who entered the game shooting 82 percent from the line, missed five free throws in the final 3 minutes against the Detroit Pistons. Fortunately for the Houston Rockets, they were able to hold on in a 99-96 victory Monday night.Harden finished with 28 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds. He went 14 of 19 at the foul line, but only 4 of 9 in the fourth quarter.I had to laugh it off. Its funny, Harden said. But we all have games like this. I cant let it happen. I have to take my time, go up there concentrating on the free throw.Clint Capela added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Rockets, who won their third straight game.We did not play well all night. I didnt think we were sharp, but we found a way to win, coach Mike DAntoni said. Its just a good win for everyone.Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 26 points and Andre Drummond had 13 points and 16 rebounds for Detroit, which has lost four in a row.With the Rockets clinging to a one-point lead and less than 10 seconds left, Harden made a free throw and missed the second, leaving Houston up 98-96.Drummond rebounded the miss and was immediately fouled by Capela with 4.6 seconds to go. Drummond missed both free throws and the Pistons fouled Harden, who again made one of two, giving Detroit a chance.Ive got to make free throws -- thats all, Harden said. Make free throws, win the game. Its pretty simple.Caldwell-Pope missed a halfcourt heave at the buzzer, handing Detroit its second straight close loss at home.Were going to have to toughen up to be able to accomplish what we want to accomplish, coach Stan Van Gundy said.Detroit led by 12 in the first quarter and took a 29-18 lead early in the second on Jon Leuers dunk. The Rockets, however, chipped away and tied it 43-all on Capelas alley-oop dunk from Harden with 4:11 left in the period.The Pistons regained a two-point edge, but Harden scored the final seven points of the first half to put Houston ahead 51-46.Houston stretched its lead to 11 in the third quarter and settled for a 79-75 advantage heading into the final period.The Pistons used an 8-0 run early in the fourth quarter to open an 85-82 lead. The teams went back and forth the rest of the way, and neither led by more than four points.Detroit, trailing 96-95 with 55 seconds left, had a chance to take the lead, but Ish Smith missed a layup. Harden made one free throw to leave Houston ahead 97-95 with 15.4 seconds left, and Caldwell-Pope answered with a free throw to get Detroit within one.TIP-INSRockets: Nene was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul in the third quarter after tripping Detroits Aron Baynes. The play was originally called a common foul, but after review it was changed to the Flagrant 1.Detroit: Marcus Morris nailed a 33-foot 3-pointer over Hardens outstretched hand to beat the third-quarter buzzer and cut Houstons lead to 79-75. The play was reviewed and replays showed the ball left Morris hands just in time.NO HOME COOKINGAfter starting the season 5-0 at home, the Pistons lost their second straight at the Palace. They lost Saturday to Boston 94-92 on Al Horfords last-second shot. Detroit is just 1-7 on the road.Its tough, especially coming off (the Boston loss), said Morris, who finished with 13 points. Weve got to find a way to play harder or just get rebounds.OFF TARGETThe Rockets were held under 100 points after surpassing the century mark in their previous seven games. Houston shot 44.9 percent from the field, including 32.3 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.We just have to continue to get better and continue to do good things down the stretch and win, Harden said. Thats all that matters.UP NEXTRockets: At home Wednesday against Toronto.Pistons: At home Wednesday against Miami.Kemba Walker Hornets Jersey . Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. Dell Curry Jersey . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves. https://www.hornetslockerroom.com/Marvin-Williams-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Woodson said during a radio interview Thursday that the Knicks Carmelo Anthony doesnt get the same calls as other superstars. Malik Monk Hornets Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Robert Franks Hornets Jersey . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer.Richmond forward Ty Vickery has reportedly been offered a long-term AFL deal to join Hawthorn.Vickery has grown tired of being made a scapegoat for the Tigers on-field issues according to News Corp Australia, and is believed to have farewelled teammates this week.He is also said to have met with Hawthorn officials multiple times, while Geelong and Adelaide have also shown interest.The 26-year-old was dropped twice in 2016 and missed selection in the final fortnight oof the season at the Tigers.ddddddddddddThe news comes after Gold Coast midfielder Dion Prestia confirmed the Tigers as his club of choice ahead of the trade period.The trade could however cost the Tigers their first-round draft pick, with Prestia posting on Facebook last night he wanted the Suns to be compensated adequately for the move. ' ' '