Hawks quadruple-team James Harden to ensure his 30-point streak ends at 32
The streak is over.
Houston Rockets guard James Harden scored at least 30 points in 32 consecutive games played before Monday’s win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Harden misses all 10 3s as scoring streak snaps
Harden logged 28 points on 7-of-21 shooting in the 119-111 win. He missed all 10 of his 3-point attempts, but still managed to lead Houston in scoring thanks in large part to a 14-of-16 effort at the free throw line.
Harden had the ball on the final possession of the game after grabbing a defensive rebound. But the Hawks made sure his streak would end on their home floor — even if Houston picked up the win — by quadruple-teaming Harden to ensure he didn’t have a shot at 30.
James Harden had 28 points and decided NOT TO SHOOT to snap his streak of 32 straight games with 30 points or more 🤔 (via @FOXSports) pic.twitter.com/hXFpHSRzug
— Overtime (@overtime) February 26, 2019
Harden’s streak is 2nd-longest behind Wilt
Harden’s streak will go into the record books as the second-longest scoring 30 or more points in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain had 65 straight 30-point games in a streak that ended in 1962. Chamberlain also had 30-point streaks of 31, 25 and 20 games in his career.
Much of Harden’s scoring binge has occurred while his fellow starters were injured. Chris Paul, Clint Capela and Eric Gordon all missed significant playing time over the past months, leaving much of the scoring burden on Harden. It was a task he was happy to oblige.
Rockets needed scoring effort from Harden
After logging the most regular-season wins in the NBA last season, the Rockets got off to a rough 12-14 start before Harden’s scoring streak began. Houston is now 35-25, good for fifth place in the West, thanks in large part to Harden’s efforts.
With Paul, Capela and Gordon all healthy now, Harden’s streak appeared in peril. It didn’t take long from the return of Capela to the lineup last Thursday for the streak to snap.
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