Rockets score 90 at half as James Harden stays hot
Over his last six games, James Harden is averaging video game-like numbers. In fact, that might be an understatement. 40.2 points, 11.2 assists and five triples a game, that stat line is unheard of.
If you popped in NBA 2K18 and simulated a season with Harden being the only focus of your offense, you might still come up short on those numbers by a long shot. He’s been nothing short of unstoppable, but that sort of burden on a whopping 37 minutes a night just isn’t sustainable.
Luckily for Harden, future Hall of Famer Chris Paul returned to the lineup last night, and his impact was felt immediately. With Paul back in the starting five, Harden torched the Phoenix Suns for an unbelievable 48 points in 34 minutes.
He didn’t have to do that kind of damage, but then again, when faced against one of the leagues worst defenses, did he really have a choice? By halftime, Houston had piled up 90 points, and although they took their foot off the gas in the second half, they managed to finish the blowout 142-116.
The Rockets starters each scored in double figures, and Houston was far too much for Phoenix to handle. Not every victory will come as effortlessly as it did tonight, but their trouncing of the Suns should go to show just how lethal their offense can be when firing on all cylinders.
Houston was rolling before Paul returned, but now that he’s back, the real show should begin. The Rockets offense was second in the league only to the Golden State Warriors, but with Harden and Paul running the show, their offensive potential is limitless.
While the Celtics sit atop the NBA Power Rankings after defeating the Warriors on Thursday night, don’t be surprised if the scene changes a bit a few weeks down the line. H-Town is hungry for a championship and it looks as if the Rockets are ready to deliver.
