----- James Harden and Russell Westbrook combine for 64 points as the Houston Rockets rout the Portland Trail Blazers 132-108 Monday night at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
James Harden continued his tremendous start to the season Monday night leading the Houston Rockets to their eighth-straight by dominating the Portland Trail Blazers 132-108 at Toyota Center in Houston.
Harden finished the game with 36 points, six rebounds, and five assists on 11-of-19 shooting including 5-of-10 shooting from three-point range.
“He did what he normally does,” Rodney Hood said. “And he got his teammates involved. He wasn’t as aggressive as he’s been in the past couple games, but he got everyone else involved and I think that’s what got them going.”
Russell Westbrook recorded a triple-double finishing with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists and Clint Capela controlled the paint with 22 points and 20 rebounds.
CJ McCollum led Portland (5-9) with 25 points and Skal Labissiere added 15 points and six rebounds off the bench. Damian Lillard struggled on the night scoring just 13 points on 4-of-15 shooting.
The Rockets were up by 14 at halftime after a 15-point second quarter from Harden. The Trail Blazers cut the lead to 11 with a 3-pointer by McCollum with about 8:30 left in the third quarter, but the Rockets put the game away with a 19-6 extending their lead to 94-70.
Notes- Carmelo Anthony is expected to join the Trail Blazers in New Orleans on Tuesday. No word on his availability against the Pelicans at this time.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers will travel to New Orleans for the second of a back-to-back against the Pelicans on Tuesday night. The game is scheduled to tip off at 5:00 Pm.
Chad's Take- Should have tuned into the Hallmark channel.