Harden keeps Rockets' playoff hopes alive

Posted: April 10, 2016 -- 10:08 pm CDT.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets gave the fans inside Toyota Center what they wanted: a win. Kobe Bryant gave the Los Angeles Lakers' fans inside Toyota Center what they wanted: 35 points in 27 minutes. Despite Bryant's brilliant performance, the Rockets blew out the Lakers 130-110 Sunday afternoon to keep their playoff hopes alive for another day.

"It was special because we needed it to continue our playoff push and every game from here on out counts and tomorrow is another one," James Harden said after the game. "But, today was a special day just seeing a legend, his last day here in Houston."

"I think we started to play well," JB Bickerstaff said of his team's success in the fourth quarter. I think we started to do more of the things that we’ve done that we’ve been successful. The ball moved; we got a bunch of open looks just because of ball movement. Our pace was good, we put the pressure on them. And then defensively, for the most part, we were good. We fouled them (Los Angeles) down the stretch a few times, turned it over a few times down the stretch, but after we had built that lead a little bit. So for us, it’s got to be tempo, tempo, tempo, pace, pace, pace for four quarters and that’s when we are at our best."

Bryant scored 15 points in the first quarter; but, James Harden's 11 points led the way for the Rockets to a 29-27 lead after the first period. Eight Rockets scored in the opening quarter.

Bryant did not play in the second quarter; but, the Rockets could not maintain separation from the Lakers -- even though Josh Smith scored 9 points off the Rockets' bench. The Rockets (39-41) led by as much as 7 points in the quarter; but, Houston led by only two points at halftime (55-53).

Bryant scored 14 points in the third quarter -- including a 28-foot jumper; however, Trevor Ariza got hot in the third quarter (4 of 7 field goals) and scored 9 points. Harden scored 7 points and Jason Terry added six points (2 for 2 from three) to help the Rockets outscore the Lakers 33-27 and take an 88-80 lead into the fourth quarter.

Bryant started the fourth quarter on the bench; but, Jordan Clarkson and Metta World Peace each sank a three-point shot to reduce the Rockets' lead to two (88-86) with 10:35 remaining in the period.

The Rockets maintained a lead between two and 6 points for three minutes before Harden nailed back-to-back three point shots to boost the Rockets' lead to 12 (108-96) with 6:04 on the game clock.

After a basket by Lakers' guard Marcelo Huertas, Ariza swished a three-pointer for a 13 points Rockets' lead.

Bryant returned to the game with 5:07 remaining.

The two teams exchanged three-point baskets for a few moments; and, Bryant went to the foul twice to shoot three free throws. After making all three free throws on his second visit, the Rockets led 120-110 with 3:14 on the clock.

The Rockets held the Lakers scoreless the rest of the game; while Patrick Beverley scored 4 points; Harden's 4 and Ariza's 2 points finished the scoring.

Harden scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, marking the highest total by a Rocket in any quarter this season.

Harden had 40 points and 13 assists, marking his 23rd double-double of the season.  He is tied with Stephen Curry for the most 40 point games this season with 12.  Harden has recorded 40+ points and 10+ assists as many times this season (5) as the rest of the league combined.  He has scored 30+ points 36 times this season, which is the third-highest total in franchise history (Moses Malone w/44 in 1981-82 and Elvin Hayes w/37 in 1970-71).  Harden is averaging 28.8 ppg overall this season, which would be the second-highest scoring average in franchise history (Malone w/31.1 ppg in 1981-82).

Patrick Beverley had 19 points tonight, marking his second-highest total of the season.  Seven of his top nine scoring performances this season have come since All-Star break.

Kobe Bryant finished the game with 35 points tonight -- marking his second-highest scoring effort of the season (38 vs. Minnesota on 2/2/16).  He has scored 30+ points 430 times in his career, including 20 times in 61 games against the Rockets.

"When he gets like that, there’s really nothing you can do, when his legs are under him," Ariza said of Kobe's 35 point outing today. "I remember my first ever game playing against him, he had 40 and my last one he had 35, so I guess I got a little bit better."

With the Rockets' win over the Lakers combined with the Utah Jazz's win over the Denver Nuggets, the Rockets still trail the Jazz (40-40) by one game (with two games remaining in the regular season) for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Rockets and Jazz split their four head-to-head meetings this season; but, if both teams finish the season with the same record, the Rockets would win a tie-breaker due to a better record in the Western Conference.

"I just told him we need y’all to beat Utah (Lakers host Utah, April 13, in Bryant's last game of his stellar NBA career)," Harden said he told Bryant after the game. "We just need some help; but, other than that, it was exciting just to see him go out the right way."

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