We have that and more in Friday’s NBA newsletter.
The Rockets are indeed under .500 in the middle of December, with as many losses as they had in early March last season. But you still have to take them seriously, because they still have a healthy, in-shape James Harden. This is obvious stuff, to the point where it feels ridiculous to put words to it. But there are enough people questioning whether the Rockets will make the playoffs and do any damage there that it needs to be said.
To wit, Harden had his fourth career 50-point triple-double on national TV Thursday night against the Lakers. He and Westbrook are literally the only two players in the league who can do this: they have seven combined in their careers, all within the past three seasons. In the rest of league history, there have been six total, and none since 1975 (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).
Harden did it Thursday against a good Lakers defense. This is a good opportunity to note that for all of the concern about shooting slumps for Chris Paul, Eric Gordon and other Rockets, the Rockets are now No. 5 in offense on the season, and since Nov. 10 not only have the league’s best offense, but one that two points per 100 possessions better than last season’s historically good offense.
The defense is quite bad, and that should really be the focus of all Rockets concern going forward. But an elite, all-time offense is back, and Harden is having an MVP-like season again, and that matters for the playoff race and the playoff battles to come.
Scores
Lakers 111, Rockets 126
Clippers 87, Spurs 125
Bulls 91, Magic 97
Mavericks 89, Suns 99
Schedule
Friday Night Highlights:
Pacers at Sixers, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Thunder at Nuggets, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
Raptors at Blazers, 10 p.m. ET, League Pass
Warriors at Kings, 10 p.m. ET, League Pass
Saturday Night Showdowns:
Lakers at Hornets, 7 p.m. ET, League Pass
Celtics at Pistons, 7 p.m. ET, League Pass
Rockets at Grizzlies, 7 p.m. ET, League Pass
Clippers at Thunder, 9 p.m. ET, League Pass
Sunday Selections:
Lakers at Wizards, 6 p.m. ET, League Pass
Kings at Mavericks, 7 p.m. ET, League Pass
Raptors at Nuggets, 8 p.m. ET, League Pass
Links
SB Nation’s Ultimate Sports Holiday Gift Guide! There’s definitely something perfect for the sports fans and/or Church of Gritty missionaries in your life.
Ooh wee, this James Harden dunk and flex is commercial bait.
Fun rivalry alert: the Lakers and Rockets have a little thing going.
Markelle Fultz’s bizarre injury, explained by a surgeon.
Data indicates that Zion Williamson is the best college basketball player ... in a decade.
Jabari Parker, who has been shifted back to the bench since Lauri Markkanen returned from injury, will no longer be in the Bulls’ rotation, Malika Andrews reports. This very Bulls front office signed him to a $20 million deal last summer. Whoops!
A former Suns employee implores Adam Silver to save Phoenix from Robert Sarver.
Ohhhh yes. This is BEEF HISTORY: Russell Westbrook vs. Patrick Beverley.
FIBA has a new secretary general.
Is Brandon Ingram incompatible with LeBron James?
Where the Celtics and Wizards really differ.
JaVale McGee is all serious now, but he still goaltends more than anyone.
Be excellent to each other.