NBA: Triple No.12 for Harden in Rockets rout
James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket between Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Victor Oladipo #5 and Russell Westbrook #0 in the first quarter at Toyota Center on January 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. AFP
NEW YORK, United States — James Harden bagged his 12th triple-double of the season as the Houston Rockets routed the Brooklyn Nets 137-112 to end their two-game losing streak on Sunday.
Harden compiled 22 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds, completing his triple with three assists in the final quarter as the Rockets pummeled the Nets.
Harden was one of six Houston players to make double figures as the Rockets bounced back from consecutive losses to Minnesota and Memphis.
Eric Gordon drained four three-pointers and led Houston’s scoring with 24 points while Trevor Ariza added 23 points.
Patrick Beverley and Montrezl Harrell weighed in with 16 points each while Ryan Anderson added 12 as the Rockets blew away a feeble Nets defense.
It was a 10th straight defeat for the Nets, who are now propping up the Eastern Conference standings with a dismal 8-32 record.
Houston’s win saw them improve to 32-11, leaving them third in the Western Conference standings behind Golden State and San Antonio.
Brooklyn’s losing streak is the second time in the past year that they have lost 10 in a row.
Trevor Booker led the scoring for the Nets with 18 points while Randy Foye contributed 13. CBB
