Written by the AP at USAToday.com
James Harden had a triple-double — 15 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds — in just three quarters to lead the Houston Rockets to their eighth straight win, 132-98 over the short-handed Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
Houston’s winning streak is the longest current one in the NBA and the team’s longest since 2014.
It was Harden’s fifth triple-double this season and the 14th of his career, which ties him with Hakeem Olajuwon for most in franchise history.
Houston led by 15 points in the third quarter before using a 10-4 run to push it to 76-53 with about seven minutes left in the quarter. The Rockets began to pour it on after that, outscoring the Kings 18-5 over the next 3 1/2 minutes to make it 94-58. Trevor Arizascored the first five points in that span and capped it with a 3-pointer.
Harden grabbed his 10th rebound soon after that and got one more late in the third before heading to the bench at the end of the quarter to end his night.
The Kings played without three starters with Rudy Gay (hip flexor strain) and Ben McLemore (left quadriceps contusion) out with injuries and DeMarcus Cousins getting a planned day of rest. They were led by Garrett Temple’s 20 points.
Ryan Anderson had 22 points and Sam Dekker had a career-high 19 for Houston.
The Rockets finished with 22 3-pointers to give them at least 15 3s in three straight games, which ties a franchise record. They came just short of tying the NBA record for 3s in a game of 23.
Harden has thrived running new coach Mike D’Antoni’s fast-paced offense and has piled up 53 assists in the last four games.
TIP-INS: Kings — Have lost six straight in Houston. … Anthony Tolliver had 12 points and 10 rebounds. … Trailed by as many as 39. … Willie Cauley-Stein had 11 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots.
To continue reading this article, click here.
