It seems to just be getting easier and easier as games go on for James Harden, and he stayed on fire Wednesday night for the Houston Rockets. The All-Star made eight three-pointers, scoring 36 points in the Rockets' 127-101 rout of the Sacramento Kings. The win is the Rockets' third in a row to end a four-game road trip and they did this against a team that they completed a three-team trade with earlier in the day. The Rockets acquired Iman Shumpert from the Kings in a deal that also included the Cleveland Cavaliers. This trade was not official by the end of the night due to physicals, so the change had not been officially made by gametime. The Kings also made another trade before the end of that day, getting Harrison Barnes from the Dallas Mavericks.
Gerald Green also chipped in with a big night, tying a season-high with 25 points, while Eric Gordon added 20 points for the now 32-22 Rockets. They have gotten their wins in convincing fashion since a slow start to the year, winning seven games this season by 20 or more points, including doing so twice during this recent road trip.
Harden's big night included 25 points in the first half alone, which powered the Rockets to a 31-point lead by halftime. Houston used a 19-3 run over the final five minutes of the second quarter to add to that advantage, and Harden made four of his three-pointers during that span. Harden shot 13-of-26 from the floor on the night, extending his 30-point streak to 27 games in a row. Chris Paul was also on the floor for Houston, as he continues to improve since returning from injury. CP3 finished with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
The Kings had won three games in a row before this defeat, ande they were led by Buddy Hield's 20 points and 10 rebounds. Marvin Bagley III added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the home team, who trailed by as many as 37 points in the second half. At 28-26, they are in the ninth spot of the Western Conference standings, looking up at the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Rockets will return home on ABC Saturday night when they host the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, the Kings will stay home to host the Miami Heat on Friday night.
Gerald Green also chipped in with a big night, tying a season-high with 25 points, while Eric Gordon added 20 points for the now 32-22 Rockets. They have gotten their wins in convincing fashion since a slow start to the year, winning seven games this season by 20 or more points, including doing so twice during this recent road trip.
Harden's big night included 25 points in the first half alone, which powered the Rockets to a 31-point lead by halftime. Houston used a 19-3 run over the final five minutes of the second quarter to add to that advantage, and Harden made four of his three-pointers during that span. Harden shot 13-of-26 from the floor on the night, extending his 30-point streak to 27 games in a row. Chris Paul was also on the floor for Houston, as he continues to improve since returning from injury. CP3 finished with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
The Kings had won three games in a row before this defeat, ande they were led by Buddy Hield's 20 points and 10 rebounds. Marvin Bagley III added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the home team, who trailed by as many as 37 points in the second half. At 28-26, they are in the ninth spot of the Western Conference standings, looking up at the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Rockets will return home on ABC Saturday night when they host the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, the Kings will stay home to host the Miami Heat on Friday night.
