Harden leads Rockets over Grizzlies as Howard sits with bruised knee

Memphis Grizzlies' Earl Clark, right, passes the ball around Houston Rockets Donatas Motiejunas, left, and Kostas Papanikolaou in the second half of an NBA exhibition basketball game Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (The Associated Press)

Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol (33) pushes Houston Rockets' Jeff Adrien (4) in the first half of an NBA exhibition basketball game Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (The Associated Press)

HOUSTON – James Harden scored 21 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 113-93 preseason victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night.

The All-Star guard was 6 for 12 from the field and added four assists. Center Dwight Howard was held out with a bruised knee.

Second-year forward Terrence Jones scored 15 points, while University of Memphis product Tarik Black pulled down 15 rebounds and added 10 points.

Houston took a 27-point lead midway through the third quarter, then pulled away again after Memphis pulled within seven with 7:20 to play.

Jarnell Stokes led Memphis with 12 points. Zach Randolph played eight minutes for the Grizzlies, scoring two points.