James Harden is back! Rockets beat Pelicans 117-109 in NBA

James Harden’s recent scoring trouble has been the most talked-about thing inside the NBA fraternity in the last couple of weeks, but it seems that the 2018 NBA MVP is well and truly past that slump as he racked up a double-double in Houston Rockets’ 117-109 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at Toyota Center on Sunday night.

Clint Capela missed his second straight game with an injury, meaning P. J. Tucker started at Center and James Harden dominated the proceedings for the Rockets. He ended the match with a game-high 40 points, as well as with 10 rebounds and 9 assists. The 30-year-old guard made a telling contribution in defence, blocking two shots on the night and shot 100% from free throws, and 46.7 from 3-point range.

“[Harden] seems like he’s back,” Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni said postgame: “I can go home and go to bed now. Before, I wouldn’t be sleeping much.”

Russell Westbrook scored 22 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, while Danuel House had a double-double with 12 points and 12 boards and Ben McLemore erupted for 22 points from the bench.

🚀 @JHarden13's 40 PTS (7 3PM), 10 REB, 9 AST propels the @HoustonRockets past New Orleans at home. pic.twitter.com/fVm8p1ZSGm

— NBA (@NBA) February 2, 2020

The game was billed as Harden vs Zion Williamson duel, and though anyone would argue that Mr. Beard came out on top and was more effective due to Rockets’ win, the superstar rookie left the court with an even higher ceiling as he recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. It is clear that all the hype surrounding Pelicans’ first-round pick is real.

Brandon Ingram continues to impress and scored a team-high 28 points and 12 rebounds. Lonzo Ball (10 pts, 11 rebs) and Josh Hart (16 pts, 10 rebs) dropped double-double as well.

Pelicans, overall, had a good game, and even out-shot Houston from the field 44.7 percent to 39.0 percent and out-rebounded the Rockets 63-43, but Pelicans’ 21 turnovers to Rockets’ 7 made the biggest difference in the end result.

Rockest have won five times in the last seven games and improved their regular-season record to 31-18, while the Pelicans saw their three-game winning run ended at Toyota Center.