Harden’s Wizardry Not Enough as Rockets Squander Lead, Falter Late in Overtime, 135-131
The Headband Harden era started with a flourish. The Rockets led by as many as 17 points in the first half and the Beard’s new look gave his game a smooth, yet visceral intensity we had yet to see this season. Last year’s MVP finished with an astonishing 54 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists. Still, this was not enough for the Rockets to beat one of the worst teams in the league. Granted, the Wizards played well. Wall and Beal combined for 68 points against Harden and Gordon’s (who had another fantastic game with 36) record-setting 90 points for a backcourt. Yet, despite all the glossy stats and numbers, only one thing remains clear. The Rockets sorely, really, REALLY miss Chris Paul. His importance and value to Houston, along with his ability to take pressure off Harden’s responsibilities on both ends of the floor, really make the Rockets an entire different beast. There’s a reason Houston is 0-4 without CP3 on the floor. James Harden is the Rockets’ motor and executioner, but it is Chris Paul who is the true floor leader of this team. His absence turns the Rockets from a Championship contender to, at best, a measly playoff contender. Harden was excellent tonight. He put on one of the great individual performances in NBA history. But he ran out of gas, something that has become commonplace when CP3 is out. Harden had 5 of his 11 turnovers in the final 8 minutes he played. The man with the headband was just gassed. It didn’t help matters that the Wizards streaky backcourt had their best game of the season against the Rockets. Entering this season, the Rockets, like the Warriors, have a target on their back. Every team is giving Houston its best shot. The Rockets need to wake up and get healthy before they’ve taken too many shots to get back up. Up next, the Dallas Mavericks travel to Houston to take on the Rockets on Wednesday night. Houston hopes to have their floor leader back against a young Mavs team that is slowly rising above season expectations, led by the stellar European rookie sensation, Luka Doncic. The Rockets have won their last 4 games at the friendly confines of Toyota Center and look to continue that streak as they battle to get back to .500.