James Harden extends 30-point streak with last-minute 3 in Rockets' win over Mavericks

For the second time during his historic scoring streak, James Harden needed until the final minute of the game to reach 30 points. However, the streak rolls on.

Harden knocked down a 3-pointer from the left wing with 53 seconds left to reach 31 points, his 30th consecutive game with at least 30. The last-minute bucket helped the Houston Rockets put away the Dallas Mavericks for a 120-104 win.

On a night when Harden struggled with his shot, the Rockets appeared to get enough offense from other contributors that they wouldn't need their All-Star to carry the load. Harden headed to the bench with 1:15 left in the third quarter with 20 points and the Rockets up 11. Houston extended the advantage to 92-78 heading into the fourth.

The Rockets stretched the lead to as much as 19 early in the fourth before the Mavericks fought back a bit. Harden came back into the game at the 6:32 mark with Houston up 16, but Dallas rallied and soon cut the deficit to 109-100. Harden then hit two consecutive 3s to push the Rockets' lead back to 15 and put an end to the rally.

"I was worried about winning," said Harden. "They were making their shots. They were coming back, cut the lead to I think 10 or nine points ... so I just wanted to get the proper shots. ... I was just trying to make the right play."

All things Rockets: Latest Houston Rockets news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Harden then hit a pair of free throws and one last 3 to reach 31 points and extend his streak. He finished 9-for-23 from the field overall and 6-for-17 from 3-point range. Harden made all seven of his free-throw attempts and added eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals.

Harden admitted he was bothered by the strained left shoulder he hurt Saturday against he Oklahoma City Thunder.

"I couldn't get the lift that I usually have from my shot," Harden said. "But that's no excuse. I'm just happy we won the game."

Gerald Green scored 19 points off the bench for the Rockets. Eric Gordon added 18 and Chris Paul and Kenneth Faried each had 17 points. Rookie sensation Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 21 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

Harden's streak of 30-point games is longest since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976-77 and the third-longest in league history. He is one game away from tying Wilt Chamberlain's 1962 streak of 31 games for second-longest. Chamberlain holds the all-time record with 65 consecutive 30-point games during the 1961-62 season.

Follow Matt Eppers on Twitter @meppers_.