Tuesday 12 March 2019 07:12, UK
James Harden scored a team-high 28 points as the Houston Rockets defeated the Charlotte Hornets to extend their winning streak to nine games.
Harden, whose scoring prowess throughout the season has made him one of the favourites to win the regular season MVP award, did not enjoy the most efficient night, hitting seven of his 21 field goal attempts as the Rockets rolled to a 118-106 win that maintained their third place in the Western Conference.
Harden punished the Hornets from the line, making 11 of his 12 free throws. He also handed out 10 assists, helping team-mates Eric Gordon and Clint Capela to record 22 and 19 points respectively.
Despite a sluggish scoring start from Harden, who missed his first six shot attempts, the Rockets darted to a 38-19 lead. Houston's franchise star teed up Gordon for a three with a delightful reverse kick-out pass.
His distribution was again to the fore in the second quarter as he a no-look bounce pass and a perfectly-judged alley-oop pass to set up Kenneth Faried for two huge dunks.
In the third quarter, Harden teased Hornets defender Dwayne Bacon with several crossover dribbles before blowing by to score with a lay-up at the rim. He iced the game with 2:41 remaining in the fourth quarter with a winding drive to the rim that resulted in a three-point play.
Click the video at the top of the page to watch Harden lead the Rockets to a ninth straight win.
