Tag: James Harden

Harden’s conviction includes repeating as NBA MVP

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — James Harden delivered a message to his detractors on Thursday, finishing with 45 points as the Houston Rockets recorded their eighth win in nine games with a 127-113 victory over the Boston Celtics. The reigning NBA MVP Harden played through the pain of a bruised calf and scored 17 of his points in the opening quarter. He shot 11 of 26 overall from the floor, including draining nine of […]

Harden’s 50-point triple-double propels Rockets over Lakers

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — James Harden’s monster 50-point triple-double powered the Houston Rockets to a 126-111 NBA victory over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. Harden, the reigning NBA Most Valuable player, added 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his second triple-double of the season and his second 50-point game of what has been a frustrating campaign for the Rockets so far. Houston led the league last season with 65 […]

Defiant Harden says ‘no pressure’ as Rockets host game seven

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Houston Rockets, who battled to 65 regular-season wins to earn a home-court edge throughout the NBA playoffs, aim to put that advantage to use on Monday. The Rockets and their Most Valuable Player candidate James Harden host the reigning champion Golden State Warriors in a decisive game seven of the Western Conference finals on Monday with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line. “There’s no pressure,” […]

Rockets edge Warriors to level NBA playoff series

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — NBA regular-season wins leader Houston, powered by James Harden’s 30 points and 27 from Chris Paul, edged defending champion Golden State 95-92 Tuesday to level their semi-final playoff series at two wins each. The Rockets snapped Golden State’s record playoff home win streak at 16 games, the Warriors suffering their first loss since the 2016 NBA Finals, and took their first playoff win over the Warriors in eight all-time […]

Rockets dominate to level NBA series with Warriors

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Houston Rockets bounced back with a vengeance on Wednesday, powering past the NBA champion Golden State Warriors 127-105 to level their Western Conference finals series at one game apiece. Houston’s Most Valuable Player candidate James Harden scored 27 points and Eric Gordon added 27 off the bench as five players scored in double figures for a Rockets team chastened by a 119-106 series-opening defeat on their home floor […]

Harden, Davis, James finalists for NBA MVP award

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Houston’s James Harden, Cleveland’s LeBron James and Anthony Davis of New Orleans are the finalists announced Wednesday for NBA Most Valuable Player honors. Harden, the league’s leading scorer in the regular season with an average of 30.4 points per game, appears the favorite to succeed Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook as MVP when the awards are announced on June 25. The Rockets star, who was runner-up in the voting […]

Harden scores 41 as Rockets blast past Jazz in series opener

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — James Harden scored 41 points as the Houston Rockets dominated the Utah Jazz 110-96 on Sunday in the opening game of their NBA Western Conference second-round playoff series. The Rockets, owners of the best record in the regular season, were in control throughout, connecting on 17 of 32 three-point attempts and leading by as many as 27 over a Jazz team that eliminated Oklahoma City on Sunday in the […]

Harden hits heights as Rockets soar over Timberwolves

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — James Harden scored 36 points as the Houston Rockets moved to the brink of a Western Conference first-round playoff series victory with a 119-100 rout of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. Harden underscored his status as front-runner for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award after leading a stunning third quarter performance that saw the Rockets explode for an astonishing 50 points. That devastating burst of scoring — a franchise […]

NBA: Harden helps Rockets hold off Clippers

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Houston Rockets improved their NBA-best record on Thursday with a 101-96 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Houston. Houston’s Most Valuable Player candidate James Harden scored 24 points with seven assists and five rebounds, and his step-back jump shot to put the Rockets up by four points with 29.4 seconds left helped the Western Conference leaders put away the determined Clippers. Eric Gordon added 23 points off […]

Rockets roll on as Spurs problems deepen

by Rob Woollard Agence France Presse LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — James Harden scored 28 points as the Houston Rockets tightened their grip on first place in the Western Conference on Monday with a 109-93 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Another inspirational display from MVP-candidate Harden included six rebounds and six assists as the Rockets delighted their home fans to improve to 53 and 14 at the top of the standings. The Rockets […]

NBA: Rockets down Clippers for 14th straight win

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The NBA-leading Houston Rockets capped a perfect February with a 105-92 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday to stretch their winning streak to 14 games. The Rockets, led by 25 points from James Harden, finished February 12-0 and with their second 14-game win streak of the season became just the sixth team in league history to post multiple streaks of at least 14 wins in the same […]

NBA: Historic night for Harden in Rockets’ win

LOS ANGELES , United States (AFP) — James Harden became the first player in NBA history to record a 60-point triple double as the Houston Rockets defeated the Orlando Magic 114-107 on Tuesday night. The 60 points were also a franchise single game record as he surpassed Calvin Murphy who scored 57 points in 1978. Murphy was in attendance at the game as a member of the Rockets’ Root Sports television broadcasting crew. Harden scored […]