Rockets beat Pacers in first ever NBA game in Manila

NBA stars’ fans came from as far as Hong Kong and Davao to watch the Houston Rockets and the Indiana Pacers play in their preseason game at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013. Both teams got more than warm reception from their fans on a rainy night. The Rockets’ head coach, Kevin McHale, best summed up NBA’s first ever NBA Global Game in the Philippines: “It’s been a good experience. It was a fun game tonight.” The Rockets won, 116-96. Videos and photos by Noy Morcoso lll and Celest R. Flores

MANILA, Philippines — James Harden led the way as the Houston Rockets dominated the Indiana Pacers in a 116-96 win in a preseason game here as part of the 2013 NBA Global Games at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Harden scored 18 points through three quarters as the Rockets zoomed to an early 10-0 start and never relented to lead by as much as 17 points.

Fan-favorite Jeremy Lin chipped in 12 points off the bench before drawing cheers and applause from the crowd as he was subbed out with a little over three minutes left.

Chandler Parsons added 15 points for the new-look Rockets, who worked the post through their star center in Dwight Howard.

Howard, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, contributed nine points and more importantly got Pacers big man Roy Hibbert in foul trouble.

Paul George led the Pacers with 18 points while David West had 14.

Both teams are set to leave the country immediately and fly to Taipei early Friday for another preseason game.