James Harden and Clint Capela broke records against 76ers
James Harden and Russell Westbrook started the game inefficiently when both superstars combined for a 2–11 FG in the first quarter. Harden, after going 1 out of 6 from the field and 0/2 from the perimeter, he converted those numbers to nine points, 3/8 FG, 1/3 3s, six rebounds, one assist to finish the first quarter. It was about time to see him start doing his thing, dribble-dribble then step-back and hit the three and like that Harden finished the first half with 23 points. Starting the third quarter the Rockets had a 7-point lead (53–60) which was diminished to two points (60–62) when Ben Simmons scored twice (layup and dunk) and Tobias Harris hit a contested three-point shot. Then Westbrook and Harden started prevailing over the game either by passing the ball to Capela for an alley-oop or looking for someone to hit a three, but when it was needed they had to dominate the game by themselves.
Harden handed Rockets the victory 108–118 against the Philadelphia 76ers, after hitting two late threes in the fourth quarter. He notched a triple-double, the fourth in his career, with 44 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists (13/24 FG, 6/12 3s, 12/12 FT). It was the 91st game in his career in which he scored 40+ points joining a great group of players (Oscar Robertson, Lebron James and Michael Jordan). Russell Westbrook had 20 points (9–22 FG, 1/2 3s, 1/5 FT, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals) for the Rockets. This duo has the highest scoring in the league this season, as they average 64.2 points per game. Lakers’ duo Lebron James and Anthony Davis are second with 52.6 points per game.
“He just understands the game, sees it and knows where he wants them,” Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni said about Harden’s performance. “They stay out, he throws a lob. They come in, he throws that. He’s got that little runner, his 3s are all over the place. I mean, he’s really good. He’s one of the best ever.
Clint Capela was excited about the game and as he said he couldn’t wait to face Joel Embiid. He notched his 23rd double-double in the season by scoring 30 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, shooting 12/16 from the field and 6/8 from the free-throw line.
“You never feel comfortable,” 76ers coach Brett Brown said. “He dribbles two feet over half-court and you still don’t feel like you’re close enough. Then, you try to get close and he’s strong enough and good enough to go by you, and then, Capela gets behind your head for the lobs. The package is lethal. They’re hard to beat.”
“You just keep moving,” Brown said about the difficulties that his team faces right now. “You’ve got to identify obvious things that you need to work on. We had a rough time shooting tonight. Keep the boys in the boat and good days will add up.”
Ben Simmons led 76ers with 29 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists and four blocks, which matched a career-high. It was his 25th career triple-double and third this season. Joel Embiid added 20 points and 12 rebounds while Tobias Harris scored 24 points.
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