Harden drops 57 points against Grizzlies, surpasses Bryant in 17th consecutive 30-point game
James Harden, the reigning MVP, is indeed having a legendary scoring streak. As the Houston Rockets beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 112-94, Harden scored a season-high 57 points. He went 17-of-33 from the field and converted 17-of -18 from the free throw line. He scored 36 points in the first half alone which now is a Rockets franchise record.
Apart from the win, a season-high performance and a franchise record, the biggest story of the night is that Harden surpassed Kobe Bryant's streak with 17 consecutive 30-point games.
Bryant achieved the feat (16 matches) during the 2002-03 season and it had been over a decade-and-a-half since a player scored with such prolific streak. Wilt Chamberlain holds the record with 20 consecutive games with 30-plus points in 1964.
"The Beard" is busy setting and breaking records in the season. In an encounter against the Cavaliers on Friday, he posted 43 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in just 29 minutes of action which is the fasted 40-point triple-double in NBA history.
It marked the fourth time that Harden scored a 40-point triple-double in this season. He is the second on the list for most 40-point triple doubles with 12 of them, behind Oscar Robertson's 22. The reigning MVP has scored 40 or more 14 times this season, and he's topped 50 points three times this season.
He is literally carrying the Rockets on his shoulders with three of the Rockets' starters sidelined with injuries. Harden has not scored under 30 points since Dec. 11, over a month ago. He has dragged the team from the depths of Western Conference and they now sit at 5th position with 25-18 record.
James Harden definitely has his case for defending the MVP title and with such performances, he is only getting closer to it. In the 40 games that he has played this season, Harden is averaging 34.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 8.6 assists.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard are bringing in some hot competition for the laurel but if Harden continues the way he is playing now, he will definitely end at the top with back-to-back MVP title.