James Harden has admitted that the Houston Rockets were forced to show their battling qualities in the victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night.
Despite leading for most of the game, the Rockets needed two periods of overtime to clinch a 110-104 triumph at the Toyota Center and Harden claims that it was a crucial result following two successive home losses.
"We lost two at home," the Houston guard told journalists. "We can't lose three in a row at home.
"We are too much of a good team to lose three games. We did whatever it took to pull it out tonight. It was a long, intense game.
"I think in the first half we did a great job defending. They only had 33 points at the half, but in the second half, we let up. Gave them confidence early in the second half when they started making shots. We have to battle it out and fight it out."
The Rockets have won five and lost three of their opening eight games this season.
