SACRAMENTO, Calif. — James Harden had 35 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds for his 21st triple-double of the season, leading the Houston Rockets to a 135-128 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
Harden is second to Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, who broke Oscar Robertson’s 56-year-old NBA record with his 42nd triple-double Sunday in a win at Denver. Harden has scored 30 or more points and had double-digit assists in 29 games.
Ryan Anderson made six 3-pointers and had 21 points for Houston. Clint Capela and Lou Williams each had 18 points, and Bobby Brown made four 3-pointers and finished with 16 points. The Rockets made 18 of 43 3-pointers.
Skal Labissiere had 25 for the Kings, and Ty Lawson had 20 points and 11 assists.
The Kings were swept in four games by the Rockets for the first time since the 1997-98 season. Houston has defeated Sacramento 12 of the teams’ last 13 meetings.
The Rockets, who had dropped four of their previous six games, have already secured third place in the Western Conference and will meet Oklahoma City in the opening round of the playoffs. The Rockets have two games remaining and conclude regular season Wednesday against visiting Minnesota.
Harden had the Rockets’ high-powered offence going strong in the opening half when he scored 21 points. He added nine more in the third quarter when the Rockets continued making 3-pointers and led 107-89 heading into the fourth.
Harden had five 3-pointers and made shot 9 of 22. He converted 12 of 13 free throws and played 36 minutes, departing for good with the Rockets comfortably in front late in the fourth quarter.
Houston, which has already set a single-season record for 3-point baskets, had its offence going strong in the opening quarter. The Rockets made nine 3s and led 42-27. Getting little resistance from an uninspired Kings defence, the Rockets stretched their lead to 78-62 by halftime.
The Kings are 7-16 since trading DeMarcus Cousins at the All-Star break.
TIP INS
Rockets: Rested starter Tevor Ariza and key reserves Eric Gordon and Nene. … Houston made 12 3-pointers and shot 64 per cent in the opening half.
Kings: Veterans Arron Afflalo, Darren Collison, Tyreke Evans, and Kosta Koufos were given the day off. … Sacramento missed 22 of 31 3s.
UP NEXT
Rockets: Face the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday in their final road game of the regular season.
Kings: Play the Phoenix Suns in their last home game of the season.
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