Rockets 109, Hawks 102: James Harden continued his sizzling start to the season by scoring a career-high 45 points as visiting Houston spoiled Atlanta's season opener.

Fellow newcomer Jeremy Lin added 21 points and Omer Asik collected 19 rebounds for the Rockets, who overcame a woeful 8-for-30 effort from beyond the arc to subdue the Hawks.

Acquired from Oklahoma City on Saturday, Harden followed his brilliant 37-point season debut by repeatedly exposing Atlanta's defense on 14-for-19 shooting from the field.

The reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year snapped a 92-92 tie with a bucket in the paint before getting his own rebound on a missed free throw and converting the easy layup.

Lou Williams had 22 points off the bench in his Atlanta debut and Josh Smith added 18 points and a team-high 10 rebounds for the new-look Hawks.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Harden scored at least 25 points in consecutive games for the first time in his career. ... Houston didn't connect from behind the 3-point line until Harden converted late in the second quarter to give the Rockets a 49-35 lead. ... Houston forward Patrick Patterson scored nine points after sitting out Wednesday's game with a left quad strain.