James Harden collected his 2000th point for the fourth straight year, and the Houston Rockets set a single-season record for most wins in a season at 59 after thumping the Pelicans, 114-91 while extending its winning streak to eight games on Saturday night at the Toyota Center.
nine games left on the schedule, Houston holds a four and a half-game lead over the Warriors as it looks to nail down home court advantage at seasons end.
Something the franchise has never done, surpassed the previous win total of 58 games in a season, set in 1993-94. The Rockets did so behind Harden’s 27 points. Not only did the beard lead the team to victory but he picked up his 2000th point of the season.
Also, the Rocket’s (59-14) support came from several players, with four in double figures. Ryan Anderson totaled 16, Clint Capela chipped in a double with 18 points 16 rebounds and six blocks, Gerald Green added 14 and Eric Gordon scored 19.
Luc Mbah a Moute sat with a sore left knee while Chris Paul nursed his left hamstring for the past couple of games.
The Rockets controlled the tempo as the Pelicans were playing its sixth game in eight days. However, that won’t dampen the Rockets spirit, who have won eight consecutive games since dropping its first game after the all-star game to the Raptors.
For the tired, struggling Pelicans (43-31), who were without Rajon Rondo (separated wrist) and Nikola Mirotic, its offense was as seldom as the number of timeouts a team receives during a game.
Anthony Davis, who poured in 25 points admitted the Pelicans were tired from attending Tom Benson’s Funeral earlier yesterday. Cheick Diallo finished with 15 points and nine assists, Darius Miller added 11, and Jrue Holiday scored 10.
The Rockets led 64-37 at intermission and consistently applied pressure on both ends of the court throughout the third and fourth quarter as Anderson, Capela, Gordon, and Green scored with jumpers and close range shots.
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