During Houston’s victory over Washington on Wednesday night, James Harden went off for 59 points in a high-scoring game that was decided by a single point.
Thanks to Harden going 18-32 from the field, 17-18 from the line and handing out nine dimes in 37 minutes on the floor, the Rockets were able to escape with a 159-158 win over the Wizards.
James Harden WENT OFF for 59 PTS! 😳#OneMission pic.twitter.com/qtIrUPNN3b
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 31, 2019
Bradley Beal put up a fight and scored 46 points for Washington, including free throws with 8.1 seconds left to tie it at 158, but it wasn’t enough to stop Harden.
Harden’s only miss from the line came after Beal tied the game, but he was able to hit a second free throw with 2.4 seconds left to get the Rockets the win.
“I didn’t know we were going to have to score about 160 points to win, but whatever it takes, it took,” Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said after the win. “A lot of great individual performances. They played unbelievable. They didn’t miss anything. We just let down a little bit, and they made everything.”
Houston also got a strong game from Russell Westbrook, who finished with 17 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his second triple-double of the season.
Thanks to last night, Harden now has gone for 50 points or more in 18 games in his NBA career.
The 317 combined points scored by the Rockets and Wizards are the most-ever in an NBA game decided by a single point.
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