James Harden and the Houston Rockets put the winless Philadelphia 76ers on the verge of an unwanted NBA record after prevailing 116-114 on Friday.

Harden exploded with 50 points from 28 shots as the 76ers fell to 0-17 for the season in Houston.

The Sixers are now just one loss away from tying the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets for the worst start in NBA history at 0-18.

Following on from last year's winless streak, Philadelphia have now dropped 27 in a row to record the longest losing streak by any team in major U.S. professional sports history.

Houston led by 11 points heading into the final quarter, but the Sixers made a 24-8 run led by winger Robert Covington.

Covington, normally a small forward, got a rare start at shooting guard and finished the game with 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists and eight steals.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Golden State Warriors preserved their 100 per cent start to the season.

Led by Steph Curry and his 41 points in three quarters, unbeaten NBA champions the Warriors defeated the Phoenix Suns 135-116 to improve to 17-0.

The Warriors also set a franchise record for three-pointers with 22, one short of the league record.

LeBron James starred as the Cleveland Cavaliers downed the Charlotte Hornets 95-90.

James posted 25 points and 13 rebounds in a double-double display for the Cavs, who have now won 23 consecutive games against franchises based in Charlotte.

The Indiana Pacers extended their winning streak to four games thanks to a Paul George's 33 points and a 104-92 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

Paul Millsap's double-double helped the Atlanta Hawks past the Memphis Grizzlies 116-101, Kevin Durant managed 34 points and 13 rebounds in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 103-87 win at home to the Detroit Pistons, while the San Antonio Spurs accounted for the Denver Nuggets 91-80.

In other results, the Minnesota Timberwolves saw off the Sacramento Kings 101-91, the Washington Wizards lost 111-78 to the Boston Celtics, the Orlando Magic trumped the Milwaukee Bucks 114-90 and the Miami Heat were too good for the New York Knicks 97-78.

The New Orleans Pelicans lost out to the Los Angeles Clippers 111-90.