Yes, James Harden finished with 26 points on 50 percent shooting. And yes, he tallied 17 assists, including 14 dimes in the first half.
James Harden’s DEFENSE closed out a game and 10 more things from Monday night’s games
The Beard made clutch shots, but his SIX steals stood out.
Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
But with the game on the line, Harden came through on defense to complete Houston’s 13-point comeback effort against New Orleans.
Harden finished with six steals against the Pelicans. Only seven players in NBA history have finished with as many steals to go with at least 17 points and 17 assists: John Stockton, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kevin Johnson, Terry Porter, Maurice Cheeks, and Kelvin Ransey.
Sure, the Pelicans didn’t have Anthony Davis. And without Davis, their roster leaves much to be desired. But the defensive effort Harden showed down the stretch had to be refreshing for Rockets fans. After all, he hadn’t been known to be a particularly strong defender for much of his career.
Houston gave up 103 points in the first three quarters. In the fourth, they outscored New Orleans 34-20 to seal the victory. We knew the Rockets’ offense would be powerful, but if their defense can step up in crunch time like it did on Monday night, they just might be serious challengers for the Western Conference crown come playoff time.
Welcome back, Milos
In his first game since Oct. 21, Milos Teodosic scored 12 points in 21 minutes, including the dagger three to beat the Raptors, 96-91.
L.A. needed him desperately.
A win would have taken them back to .500, but instead, a 116-103 loss at home to Charlotte sets OKC back to 12-14. The Big 3 scored 61 points on 48 shots, but as a unit, the Thunder assisted on just 16 of 35 made shots.
The team is having a tough time shooting the ball and finding any sort of offensive consistency. OKC isn’t the team most thought they’d be.
More:
- Harden and Chris Paul are the perfect NBA backcourt combo.
- Matt Barnes retires after 14 seasons in the NBA.
- This Bulls graphic is too hilarious to be a coincidence.
- Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic had a moment together against the Celtics.
- Own your moment like this kid playing at halftime of the Grizzlies game.
- Russell Westbrook makes dunking on four people look like no big deal.
- Trevor Ariza has the worst ‘Chewbacca’ impression ever.
- Las Vegas’ new WNBA team is the Aces and it has a VERY Vegas logo.
Scores
Bulls 108, Celtics 85 (Blog a Bull recap | Celtics Blog recap)
Rockets 130, Pelicans 123 (The Dream Shake recap | The Bird Writes recap)
Heat 107, Grizzlies 82 (Hot Hot Hoops recap | Grizzly Bear Blues recap)
Hornets 116, Thunder 103 (At the Hive recap | Welcome to Loud City recap)
Clippers 96, Raptors 91 (Clips Nation recap | Raptors HQ recap)
See More:
