Harden has 24 points, Rockets beat Mavs 118-108 in Game 1

Dallas Mavericks' Monta Ellis (11) is blocked by Houston Rockets' Dwight Howard (12) as he tries to score during the first quarter of game 1 in the first round of the NBA basketball playoffs Saturday, April 18, 2015, in Houston. Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) also defends on the play. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Dallas Mavericks' Monta Ellis (11) is blocked by Houston Rockets' Dwight Howard (12) as he tries to score during the first quarter of game 1 in the first round of the NBA basketball playoffs Saturday, April 18, 2015, in Houston. Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) also defends on the play. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

By Associated Press April 19, 2015 4 min read

HOUSTON (AP) – James Harden had 24 points and Corey Brewer scored 13 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Houston Rockets to a 118-108 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night in Game 1 of their Western Conference series.

Brewer made three 3-pointers in about 3 minutes in the fourth to keep the Mavericks at bay. He added another three points when he made a layup and a free throw to give Houston a 109-95 lead with 3 minutes left.

Houston won the opener in the best-of-seven series after losing both home games last season in a first-round loss to Portland. Game 2 is Tuesday night in Houston.

Dirk Nowitzki had 24 points for the Mavericks. They are in the playoffs for the 14th time in the last 15 seasons.

Houston outlasted Dallas with a balanced scoring effort that featured seven players in double figures. Dwight Howard had 11 points, five rebounds and five blocks.