Jalen Rose predicts 90-point game from James Harden this season

Former NBA player Jalen Rose is predicting a 90-point game by James Harden this season, and there could be a personal reason for that pick.

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Former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Jalen Rose believes Houston Rockets star James Harden could score 90 points in a game.

Speaking Tuesday morning on “Get Up,” Rose explained why he believes Harden is the most unique scorer in NBA history — and how that could lead to a historic night later this season. Rose said:

I’ve called him the most unique scorer in the history of the NBA. Here’s what I mean by that.

He’s led the league in total threes made, total free throws made, in assists, and in total points. No other player at any point in their careers would be able to say that. That’s how dynamic James Harden is.

And, he keeps on coming. He’s not always efficient, but he’s aggressive. He’ll take 15 or 20 three-point shots in a game, whether he’s making two or three, or whether he’s making 10. That level of aggression, I’m telling you, he’s going to have a night when he actually gets on fire.

I’ll say this: He’s going to have a 90-point game this year. He is. I know it sounds crazy, but he goes for it every night.

Harden’s career-high in points in one game was 61, set twice last season. This year, he peaked at 59 points on Oct. 30 in Washington.

For the 2019-20 season as a whole, the 30-year-old is averaging 39.2 points and 7.6 assists in 36.6 minutes per game.

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Beyond just getting hot in a given game, there could be a statistical reason to believe Rose’s case. Consider that last year, Harden didn’t reach peak form until his legendary 32-game streak of scoring 30+ points, which began Dec. 13. Prior to that date, Harden averaged 30.0 points per game. From Dec. 13 onward, he averaged 38.7 points.

If Harden continues to improve at a similar rate as the 2019-20 season progresses, there’s no telling what he might be able to do. It should also be noted that the Rockets (11-3) are currently on the league’s longest winning streak at eight consecutive games — and since Harden’s extreme numbers are leading to wins for his team, there’s no reason to expect Harden or the Rockets to dial it back.

As for Rose, there could also be some personal motivation as it related to his prediction. The NBA’s all-time record for points in a single game is held by Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 on March 2, 1962.

But number two on the list, and the only game this century in which an NBA player has exceeded 70 points? That belongs to Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, who scored 81 on Jan. 22, 2006. In that game (box score), Bryant was largely defended by Rose, who played nearly 44 minutes.

Rose has taken his share of “81” jokes over the years, and he seems to have developed a sense of humor about it. But he probably wouldn’t mind it if Harden scored at least 82 and set a new modern record.

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