James Harden and Russell Westbrook combined for 63 points and 13 assists as the Rockets (23-11) crushed the visiting Denver Nuggets (23-10) on New Year’s Eve in Houston, 130-104 (box score).
The win brings the Rockets to within a half-game of Denver for the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference. The Nuggets cut Houston’s 17-point halftime lead to just three points after the third quarter, but the Rockets put them away with a dominant 38-15 closing period.
Both Harden and Westbrook shot 50% or better from the field, headlined by Harden’s 6-of-9 showing (66.7%) from 3-point range. Harden had 35 points, while Westbrook poured in 28 on 11-of-22 shooting.
Harden and Westbrook combine for 63pts in the big win!
Vote James and Russ into the 2020 #NBAAllStar Game.
🚀 » https://t.co/fvIkFK95x6 pic.twitter.com/njP1RrnNx5
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 1, 2020
Against the Denver Nuggets tonight:
James Harden:
35 PTS
6 AST
2 BLK
10-17 FG (58.8%)
6-9 3PT (66.7%)
9-13 FT (69.2%)
77 TS%
4 TOV
33 MIN
+21Russell Westbrook:
28 PTS
7 AST
11-22 FG (50%)
6-6 FT (100%)
56.8 TS%
3 TOV
33 MIN
+16Dominating the 2nd seed in the west. pic.twitter.com/DigN4eHb9i
— Play Gary Clark (NBA (@Itamar1710) January 1, 2020
[lawrence-related id=20928,20883]
Counting Tuesday’s totals, Harden finished the 2010s decade as the NBA’s leading scorer with 19,578 total points. Next on the list were LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Westbrook.
.@JHarden13 finishes 2019 as the highest scoring player of the decade! pic.twitter.com/o7aZrc3wee
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 1, 2020
James Harden this decade (January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2019):
19,578 points
4,913 assists
4,085 rebounds
1,216 steals
400 blocks— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) January 1, 2020
Overall, the Rockets shot 52.9% from the field and 16-of-34 (47.1%) on 3-pointers as Houston closed out 2019 in style.
In addition to the exploits of Harden and Westbrook, reserve guard Eric Gordon maintained his hot shooting since returning from injury by making three of five 3-point attempts (60%).
FINAL: Rockets 130, Nuggets 104. A near-perfect game from the Rockets. Harden (35p) incredibly efficient. Westbrook (28p) attacking. Rockets on fire from three (16-34). Houston now 23-11. Happy New Year, everybody!
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 1, 2020
On the front line, Clint Capela returned from his own multi-game injury absence (heel) with 16 points and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes. Meanwhile young seven-footer Isaiah Hartenstein continued his recent surge with 16 points and 12 rebounds in just 18 minutes off the bench.
Mike D'Antoni said Isaiah Hartenstein had a "great game". He said "for sure" he expects him to hold down the backup center spot. He loves what he does on the offensive end, setting picks, rebounding. The test is his defense and he's liked what he's done there the past 3 games.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 1, 2020
[lawrence-related id=20924,20824]
After the game, head coach Mike D’Antoni confirmed that Hartenstein — who led the Rockets with a plus/minus figure of +21 in just 18 minutes — had effectively replaced veteran Tyson Chandler as the backup center behind Capela moving forward.
Coach D’Antoni says postgame that Isaiah Hartenstein will be the back-up 5 moving forward. He says Hartenstein is smart, brings a great energy and can do things offensively that can’t be taught.
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) January 1, 2020
Mike D’Antoni with some major praise for Isaiah Hartenstein:
“Offensively, he does things nobody can teach. He’s quick in getting picks for James, he’s quick off the ball, relentless on the boards. Just his energy alone makes him valuable.” pic.twitter.com/DURKh2REUD
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) January 1, 2020
The Nuggets were led by star big man Nikola Jokic with 21 points and eight rebounds, but both Capela and Hartenstein had more rebounds.
The Rockets return to action Friday night with a home game against the Philadelphia 76ers. With the Sixers (23-13) led by All-Star center Joel Embiid, it would seem to benefit the Rockets that both Capela and Hartenstein enter that matchup playing well.
Closing out the year strong and focused on 2020! 🚀#OneMission pic.twitter.com/aLKeR2rlmf
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 1, 2020