James Harden's play seems to increase as the quality of opponent does for the Houston Rockets, and he was on that same high level Thursday night. Harden finished with 45 points and six assists, lifting the Rockets over the Boston Celtics, 127-113, at the Toyota Center. The win was the Rockets' eighth in the past nine games, improving their record to 19-15, which is good for the seventh seed in the Western Conference. Clint Capela also had a productive game with 24 points and 18 rebounds, while Eric Gordon had 20 for the Rockets, who shot 48 percent as a team.
The Rockets are a season-high four games over .500 and finally back in the playoff picture, and once again pointed to their three-point shooting to have success. They shot 18-of-45 from beyond the arc, and continue to be led by their bearded superstar. Harden got off to a hot start with 17 points in the first quarter, and shot 11-of-26 overall, including 9-for-18 from three-point range.
The former MVP's hot streak now has him with at least 30 points in eighth straight games, which is the longest such streak since Russell Westbrook did it in eight consecutive games for the Oklahoma City Thunder in November of 2016. Harden also has at least 35 points in six straight games, which is the longest such streak since Carmelo Anthony's streak of six in a row in April of 2013.
Despite the loss, the Celtics still hold the five seed in the Eastern Conference, as Kyrie Irving finished with 23 points and 11 assists, while Marcus Morris added 19 points before getting ejected in the fourth quarter of their 14th loss. Jaylen Brown came off the bench with 18 points for Boston, who shot 47 percent in defeat, but was outrebounded, 54-38.
The Rockets will hit the road on Saturday night against the New Orleans Pelicans, while the Celtics will visit the Memphis Grizzlies that same night.
The Rockets are a season-high four games over .500 and finally back in the playoff picture, and once again pointed to their three-point shooting to have success. They shot 18-of-45 from beyond the arc, and continue to be led by their bearded superstar. Harden got off to a hot start with 17 points in the first quarter, and shot 11-of-26 overall, including 9-for-18 from three-point range.
The former MVP's hot streak now has him with at least 30 points in eighth straight games, which is the longest such streak since Russell Westbrook did it in eight consecutive games for the Oklahoma City Thunder in November of 2016. Harden also has at least 35 points in six straight games, which is the longest such streak since Carmelo Anthony's streak of six in a row in April of 2013.
Despite the loss, the Celtics still hold the five seed in the Eastern Conference, as Kyrie Irving finished with 23 points and 11 assists, while Marcus Morris added 19 points before getting ejected in the fourth quarter of their 14th loss. Jaylen Brown came off the bench with 18 points for Boston, who shot 47 percent in defeat, but was outrebounded, 54-38.
The Rockets will hit the road on Saturday night against the New Orleans Pelicans, while the Celtics will visit the Memphis Grizzlies that same night.
