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Houston Rockets win fourth straight behind MVP Harden performance

By Michael Knight

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 17: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets dunks the ball against the Utah Jazz on December 17, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 17: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets dunks the ball against the Utah Jazz on December 17, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Houston Rockets have won yet again behind another strong performance from the reigning Most Valuable Player.

The Houston Rockets have won four games in a row and are back above .500, thankfully! They did it behind a strong performance from the MVP, James Harden.

Harden is coming off an insane week in which he took home the NBA Player of the Week. He averaged 37 points and 8.3 assists per game, leading the Rockets to a 3-0 record. Tonight, he backed up last week by beginning this one strongly. He put up 47 points to go along with 6 rebounds, 5 assists & 5 steals.

It was nice to see the Rockets finally beat the Jazz this year after dropping the first two meetings to them. Last time, Rudy Gobert was ejected within the first three minutes, but the struggling Rockets still ended up dropping the game to them. This time out, there were plays like this one by the Beard:

https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1074859667791192064

The Beard was just electric tonight. He got to the line at a high rate as always (15/16 FT) and finished the game strong, knocking down two clutch 3s to give the Rockets a solid cushion. Without his clutch plays, Houston might not have won this game.

Chris Paul struggled once again from the field. He was just 3/10 and this is becoming a normal thing for him, it seems. I gotta give him credit, though, he hit a tough and clutch runner in the last couple of minutes to extend the lead for Houston.

His stat line doesn’t look flashy (4 points, 4 rebounds), but Danuel House brought some serious energy off the bench. He was a team-best +16 and played well on both ends of the court, especially defense. He had this nasty block that helped save some valuable points:

https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1074860833191182336

He is starting to become a fan favorite in Houston. He and Gerald Green form the “GreenHouse” duo that can really bring some energy off the bench. With Eric Gordon starting, their play is really needed in that second unit!

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Let’s hope the Rockets make it five in a row on Wednesday against Trevor Ariza and the Wizards!

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