James Harden Scores 44 in Houston Rockets Overtime Win

84. . 113. 169. 109

A+. <strong>48 min, 14-32 FG, 44 PTS, 3-10 3P, 13-15 FT, 4 REB, 8 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO             </strong><p>A night after struggling with back spasms and playing 40 minutes in the loss to Golden State, Harden and the entire Rocket team began the evening cold from the field. By half they trailed by 10-points and Harden had managed only 11-points.  We were left to wonder if his back was going to hamper his performance throughout the contest but he scored 23 points in the second half, adding 10 in overtime. He scored the first 7-points of the extra frame with the Kings unable to find a defender to stop him or an offensive answer to respond in kind.  His performance was nothing short of MVP worthy especially considering he’s led the depleted Rockets to wins in 8 of 11 contests without Dwight Howard. </p>. SG. Rockets. JAMES <STRONG>HARDEN</STRONG>

B+. <strong>40 min, 5-12 FG, 15 PTS, 4-8 3P, 1-4 FT,  10 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO</strong><p>Having Patrick Beverley back in the line-up serves multiple purposes, he’s the guy no one likes on the opposing team, but the first guy you offer to buy dinner for after the game if he’s on your team. The normally unflappable Rudy Gay got into it with Beverley late in the third quarter resulting in double technical fouls. His 10-rebounds were a team high and a key factor in the win. </p>. PG. Rockets. PATRICK <STRONG>BEVERLEY</STRONG>

A-. <strong>43 min, 4-13 FG, 15 PTS, 3-10 3P, 4-4 FT,  7 REB, 0 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO</strong><p>Trevor Ariza continues to bring a defensive intensity to the floor each night and while Harden was the key to capturing the win without Rudy Gay being held to 13 points Harden’s super hero antics become a moot point. </p>. SF. Rockets. TREVOR <STRONG>ARIZA</STRONG>

Rockets. DONATAS <STRONG>MOTIEJUNAS</STRONG>. B. <strong>30 min, 6-11 FG, 14 PTS, 0-1 3P, 2-2 FT,  3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p>Fouled out of the game late fourth quarter but in concert with Ariza did a great job of holding Sacramento’s front court in check. He’s played above average while Howard’s been out often being the second or third best scorer on the court. His aggressiveness was taken away due to early foul trouble which forced him to play more reserved than usual.  </p>. PF

TARIK <STRONG>BLACK</STRONG>. C+. <strong>16 min, 2-5 FG, 4 PTS, 0-0 3P, 0-0 FT,  5 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p>I remember thinking when I watched the Kansas Jayhawks last season Tarik Black already has an NBA ready body and might be one of those college players who is better suited to the major league than college. Obviously, he’s got room for improvement but he’s been steady without glaring deficiencies especially on defense.  Most importantly he doesn’t try to force anything or do more than he’s capable of, a quality a lot of coaches wish their rookies emulated this early in their rookie campaign.</p>. C. Rockets

C+. <strong>33 min, 0-2 FG, 0 PTS, 0-0 3P, 0-4 FT,  9 REB, 2 AST, 5 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO</strong><p>He can’t shoot a free throw, his offensive game is non-existent but oh those 5 blocks and 9 rebounds were huge off the bench.</p>. PF. Rockets. JOEY <STRONG>DORSEY</STRONG>

<strong>8 min, 1-3 FG, 2 PTS, 0-0 3P, 0-0 FT,  4 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p>Unlike Tarek Black it’s obvious Nick Johnson is a rookie, the difference is he may actually turn into a very decent NBA player. His upside is huge because he does a lot of things well just not really well YET.  He gets a C instead of C- just for the put back dunk where he literally jumped over Ramon Sessions head which seemingly sparked energy into the Rockets who promptly began hitting three point shots right afterward. </p>. SG. Rockets. NICK <STRONG>JOHNSON</STRONG>. C

C-. <strong>12 min, 2-5 FG, 6 PTS, 2-5 3P, 0-0 FT,  0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO</strong><div class=. SG. Rockets. TROY <STRONG>DANIELS</STRONG>