Superstar Houston Rockets guard James Harden was named Western Conference Player of the Week earlier Monday, and he followed that up with 39 points and nine assists just a few hours later in New Orleans as the Rockets defeated the Pelicans, 122-116 (box score).
It’s the fourth straight win for the Rockets, who are now a season-best four games over .500 at 7-3. With the loss, the Pelicans fall to 2-8.
Harden started cold with just 2 points in the first quarter and hit only 3-of-11 (27.3%) on three-pointers, down from 43.1% over his last three games. But the former NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) got going by attacking the rim, with 10 makes in 14 attempts inside the arc.
Of Harden’s 39 points, 28 came in the second half and 19 in the fourth quarter. In one sequence, he scored 15 consecutive Houston points.
🚀 @JHarden13 goes OFF for 19 PTS in the 4Q 🚀 #OneMission pic.twitter.com/Cs1nctl3W0
— NBA (@NBA) November 12, 2019
Russell Westbrook had 26 points (11-of-21 shooting) and was especially strong on mid-range shots, while starting center Clint Capela grabbed 20 rebounds for a second consecutive game.
Capela also recorded 20+ rebounds in consecutive games last season. Prior to that, the last Rockets player to do so was Charles Barkley — way back in November 1996.
Eric Gordon posted by far his most efficient game of the season off the Houston bench, scoring 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 4-of-7 (57.1%) from three-point range. The Rockets especially needed Gordon’s contributions after starting small forward Danuel House Jr. left the game early with a back contusion.
Eric Gordon heating up. He’s hit three 3-pointers in 3 consecutive games.
A way #Rockets have gotten him going is through using him as a back screener in Spain pick-and-roll. He sets a back screen, then pops out to the perimeter. He’s getting open shots, deep ones too, in rhythm pic.twitter.com/bE9pAW8FK6
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) November 12, 2019
The Pelicans were led by 24 points from veteran guard J.J. Redick, who hit 7-of-15 (46.7%) from three-point range.
After Monday’s win, the Rockets flew back to Houston, where they will host the Los Angeles Clippers (6-3) on Wednesday. With Kawhi Leonard and potentially Paul George leading the visitors, the Rockets could certainly use House’s athleticism and defensive versatility. In postgame remarks, head coach Mike D’Antoni said House “should be okay,” but did not commit to his immediate availability.
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