The Rockets got word today that Clint Capela is out 4-6 weeks with ligament damage in his thumb to add to a team that is already without Chris Paul and Eric Gordon. The solution? Simple: James Harden.
Harden went off, again. This time against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Beard scored 57 points in 34 minutes to out score the rest of the Rockets(55 points) as Houston defeated Memphis, 112-94. Harden finished the first half with 36 points which is the most first half points in Rockets history. He has now scored 30 or more points in 17 straight games, passing Kobe Bryant’s mark of 16. Harden’s 57 tonight is his third of this season with no other player having more than one.
Danuel House had 15 points, Austin Rivers scored 11 and Gerald Green came off the bench with 14 points. The victory over Memphis was head coach Mike D’Antoni’s 600th career win.
Houston improves to 25-18 and will host the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday night at 7:00pm.