Harden leads Rockets to blowout win

By Brian T. Smith

The Rockets’ defense is often weak and sometimes non-existent. They have yet to establish a consistent secondary scoring threat. And a team initially pegged as lottery-bound is nowhere near a certainty for the playoffs, despite spending big money during the offseason to upgrade its young roster.

But that pesky, relentless, bearded shooting guard the Rockets unexpectedly added just in time for the 2012-13 campaign? He’s working out just fine.

James Harden continued to burn through December, owning Philadelphia on Wednesday at Toyota Center. In turn, the Rockets burned the 76ers, 125-103.

The Rockets shot 56 percent (42-of-75) from the field, 83.3 percent (30-of-36) from the free-throw line and distributed 29 assists while committing just 10 turnovers. They won three quarters by a combined 26 points and captured nearly every significant statistical category, including points in the paint and in the fast break.

At the heart of of it all: Harden.

He scored 19 points in the first half, constantly slicing through Philadelphia’s top-of-the-key defense and aggressively attacking the basket. He finished with game highs in points (33) and assists (7), hitting seven of 12 field goals and shooting a career-high 17 of 18 from the line. When Harden wasn’t pouring in baskets, he was setting up open teammates, dishing out no-look passes that quickly became assists.

Harden was fierce and driven, selfless and efficient. He led. His team followed.

“James is kind of the head of the spear,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. “He’s the guy that takes us out and gets us going a lot.”

Impressive stretch

Harden’s last five games are Kevin Durant-worthy: 28.2 average points on 45.9 percent shooting from the field and 93.2 percent from the line. He’s racked up 38.6 minutes per game during the span, guiding the Rockets (13-12) to four wins in five contests. Through December, Harden’s averaging 26.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists. They’re numbers normally reserved for the NBA’s elite. Right now, Harden’s near the top.

Jeremy Lin added 18 points and six assists for his increasingly confident team, which relied on its middle-of-the roster depth to put away a shorthanded Philadelphia (12-14) squad. Rockets center Omer Asik recorded a game-high 15 rebounds and 17 points.

Nick Young’s 21 points led the 76ers, who played without guard Jrue Holiday and center Andrew Bynum.

Through 25 up-and-down games, Harden has unquestionably been the Rockets’ most valuable player. The third wheel in Oklahoma City has become the Rockets’ driving force.

“People have had a tough time finding an answer for him. … He’s doing a great job of keeping us going,” Lin said.

‘It’s early’

If the NBA season ended Thursday, the surprising Rockets would be in the postseason. More than four months remain, though, and the team’s big-name duo are fully aware of the divide that separates true postseason contenders from annual draft lottery attendees. But with everyone from Asik and Chandler Parsons to second-year forward Marcus Morris and little-used rookie center Donatas Motiejunas playing significant minutes Wednesday, Harden and Lin continue to see long-term potential in a Rockets team that’s edging its way into the top half of the West.

“It’s early. That’s all I can say,” Lin said. “Obviously, we want to be in the playoffs. But right now, our focus is just on getting better.”

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