Rockets' pulverize Kings, 132-98

Updated: December 15, 2016 -- 5:38 am CST
Posted: December 14, 2016 -- 10:34 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets took advantage of the short-handed Sacramento Kings Wednesday night in a 132-98 blowout victory in front of an announced crowd of 15,039 fans. The Kings were without big man DeMarcus Cousins (rest); and forwards Rudy Gay and Ben McLemore; and, James Harden and his teammates wasted no time exploiting their advantage. The Rockets raced to a 36-25 lead after 12 minutes and led 64-43 at halftime.

"But, they (the Kings) were short-handed, they came in without at least three of the players; so, we should have done this; we did it; and, now, we move on the next one," Mike D'Antoni, Rockets head coach said after the game.

The Kings sliced the lead to 15 (66-51) in the third quarter; but, a 28-7 blitz by the Rockets blew the game wide open and the Rockets cruised to their 8th straight victory and improved to a robust 19-7 record this season.

"You can’t get too high and you can’t get too low," James Harden said after the game. "Just stay humble and stay level headed. And focus on the main picture."

James Harden posted his fifth triple-double of the season with 15 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds in only 30 minutes of game action. The triple-double is Harden's 14th as a Rocket which ties him with Hakeem Olajuwon for the most triple-doubles in Rockets' franchise history.

"Obviously all-time Rockets great, the best to ever do it… to put on a Rockets uniform, and then one of the best to play basketball period. I am honored," James Harden said. "Credit to my teammates who helped me, obviously and the coaches."

The Rockets improve to 10-0 when holding the opposition below 100 points in a game.

With the game out of reach the entire fourth quarter, the only remaining drama was whether the Rockets would set a new NBA-record by making 24 three-pointers in the game. The Rockets hit 22 threes in the game; and, the players had a few opportunities to pass to three-point marksmen Kyle Wiltjer; but, Montrezl Harrell, Sam Dekker, and K.J. McDaniels didn't pass the ball to Wiltjer.

The Rockets made 21 three-point shots in their first match-up versus the Kings this season (November 25th). In the two wins over the Kings, the Rockets have made an astounding 43 three-point shots out of 92 attempts.

The Rockets had a season-high 40 assists on 50 field goals made.  The last time the Rockets had 40+ assists was vs. Golden State on February 25, 1995 (44).  Houston is averaging 31.0 assists per game over the past five games.

"Extremely unselfish," Harden said after the game. "Guys had shot opportunities and they shoot them, and when they don’t they create for someone else. We’ve been doing it all year and it’s working. Everybody is getting shots, everybody is scoring the basketball, and everybody is happy."

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