NBA Highlights Dec. 26: Harden and Rockets Make Season Debuts

Although a few days late, James Harden made his debut in the new season on Saturday, leading the broken Houston Rockets to challenge the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. After 58 minutes of competition, the Rockets lost 128-126.

The Rockets missed several key players, including John Wall, Eric Gordon, and DeMarcus Cousins ​​due to the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols, and therefore were unable to send more than 9 players to the court on Saturday. . Meanwhile, many had doubts about Harden’s form, thanks to all that trade request drama during the offseason.

Such doubts burst like bubbles when the game began. Harden delivered eight assists in the first quarter taking advantage of Portland’s defense. When opponents began to question his defensive tactics, Harden activated his scoring mode, scoring 11 and 12 points in Q2 and Q4 respectively. Having played a total of 43 minutes, Harden lost 44 points and 17 assists. He also made 13 of 16 attempts from the free throw line.

Christian Wood, one of the biggest deals Houston made during the offseason, also proved he’s worth every dollar of his three-year, $ 41 million contract. Wood scored 33 points at 63.6 percent field goal rate while grabbing 13 rebounds on the floor. His excellent shooting ability gave Houston no choice but to shoot obsessively from 3-point range.

It would have been a perfect season opener for Harden and the Rockets if their pass to PJ Tucker hadn’t been intercepted by Robert Covington on the last possession.

“I was just trying to make a quick decision. Once I got into the paint, they did a good job of using their high hands … If (PJ) slid, I would have made a tray … I’ll watch the movie and get better “Harden told The Athletic’s Alykhan Bijani after the game.

To be fair, Friday’s victory also came from the brilliant performance of the Trail Blazers. CJ McCollum matched Harden’s work by scoring 44 points and 8 assists. McCollum was 9-16 from arc with the last one made 6.3 seconds before the end, putting the Trail Blazers back on top 128-126.

Damian Lillard also had 32 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Although he couldn’t beat the buzzer at the end of Q4, it was Lillard’s 21 points that helped Rip City overcome the difficulty in the first half.

Atlanta Hawks 122-112 Memphis Grizzlies

If one is to be chosen as the best rookie point guard in the current league, it must be between Trae Young and Ja Morant. They led their teams, the Hawks and Grizzlies, to meet at FedExForum on Friday.

Compared to Young, Morant has a larger size and better athleticism. Morant is also a better defender and probably a better orchestrator. Still, Young overshadowed him in Friday’s game.

Young had very cold hands as he went 10-24 on shooting from the field and 1-7 behind the 3-point line. However, he still managed to lose 36 points and 9 assists, all thanks to 15 of 17 free throws he made. The last one who could score like that was Harden.

The Hawks only led 113-110 with less than two minutes left in the game. Young held the ball, pitched and beat Grayson Allen to make an easy jelly. Then in the next possession. Young took on Morant and broke into the paint again, scoring another two points in a similar fashion. The two shots he made ended the Hawks game.

The Hawks conducted a large number of transactions during the offseason, with the goal of making a trade this season. Nonetheless, Rajon Rondo and Danilo Gallinari, both of whom the team secured with two generous deals, sat down in Saturday’s game due to injury. So did Onyeka Okongwu, the sixth pick in this year’s draft. Also, Clint Capela, who was traded to the Hawks last season, also didn’t play. Capela has not appeared with the team since his arrival.

That meant Young still has to run Atlanta’s offense like he did the past two seasons. His 73 points and 31 free throws have given the team two consecutive victories so far. Last season he averaged 29.6 points and 9.3 assists, joining Oscar Robertson, Harden, Russell Westbrook and Nate Archibald to become the fifth player to reach 29 + 9 in a season. Robertson, Harden and Westbrook won the MVP award. Archibald became a member of the Hall of Fame. Does Young have what it takes to do any of those?

Other games on Saturday (visiting teams come first):

Oklahoma City Thunder 109-107 Charlotte Hornets

Cleveland Cavaliers 128-109 Detroit Pistons

Orlando Magic 130-120 Washington Wizards

Philadelphia 76ers 109-89 New York Knicks

Indiana Pacers 125-106 Chicago Bulls

Toronto Raptors 114-119 San Antonio Spurs

Minnesota Timberwolves 116-111 Utah Jazz

Phoenix Suns 103-106 Sacramento Kings