James Harden Equals Kobe Bryant’s 30 Point Record
Houston Rockets star James Harden had an NBA history making night during Sunday’s 116 – 109 defeat to the Orlando Magic.
James Harden made history in two ways, one was good and one was bad. His 38 points against Orlando marked a run of 16 consecutive 30 point games. In doing so, James Harden equalled Kobe Bryant’s record from the 2002 – 2003 season.
However, he also tied a not so glamorous record. He was 1 for 17 on three pointers on the night, equalling the most 3 point misses in a game in NBA history. No player has been so inaccurate from range since Damon Stoudamire in 2005.
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“The problem is you can’t rely on [Harden] to be superhuman every night,” Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said.
“We have to have some contribution from other guys. I thought they came in with a lack of focus on the defensive end, and it carried over on the offensive end. We didn’t play well.”
Harden could now possibly surpass Bryant, and will aim to equal another NBA great, Wilt Chamberlain.
Wilt Chamberlain had a run of 20 consecutive 30 point games back in 1964. Also ahead of him is Larry Jones, who had 23 in 1969.
Harden finished the game with 12 assists and 9 rebounds. He was strong in the first half, and could have had a triple double by half time. In the first two quarters he got 16 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds.
Despite his brilliance, the Magic were only down by 7 at halftime and would rally to win the game later.
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“We scored enough points to win,” Harden said.
“We didn’t have our focus defensively, like we have the last few weeks, we gave them 70 points or something in the second half. You give a team like this some confidence and open shots, and they made them. It’s pretty simple.”
