Rocket Man: James Harden drops career-high 45 points in 109-102 win over Hawks

Quick Facts

Who?: Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks

What?: Rockets won 109-102

Where?: Philips Arena (Atlanta, Georgia)

When?: Friday, November 2, 2012

How?: James Harden dropped 45 points (career-high)

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Game Leaders

Points: James Harden (45)

Rebounds: Omer Asik (19)

Assists: Jeremy Lin & Jeff Teague (7)

Steals: Chandler Parsons & Lou Williams (3)

Blocks: Josh Smith (3)

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Player Grades: Each player is given a grade on an A+ through F scale based upon their game performance.

Box Score

Houston Rockets

Jeremy Lin: B+

James Harden: A+

Chandler Parsons: C

Patrick Patterson: B

Omer Asik: A

Bench: B

Atlanta Hawks

Jeff Teague: B+

Devin Harris: C-

Kyle Korver: F

Josh Smith: B

Al Horford: D

Bench: A

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SDS Plays of the Game:

Aldrich’s powerful put-back slam

Teague’s spectacular no basket

Harden’s career-high night

Rockets vs Hawks video recap

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Turning Point:

The Hawks were clicking on all cylinders as they went on an 8-0 run to take a 90-87 lead midway through the fourth quarter and seemed to have Houston on their heels, but Patrick Patterson drained a 3-pointer as the shot clocked expired that tied the game back at 90. The following possession, Josh Smith settled for a poor mid-range jumper that rattled off the rim, essentially killing the momentum for Atlanta and swung it in the Rockets direction. Houston then held on for the 109-102 victory.

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Final Thoughts:

The Atlanta Hawks did such a terrible job on the boards that they made Omer Asik look like Bill Russell. Asik finished with 19 rebounds in the game, nine of which were offensive. Wing defense for Atlanta was also terrible. James Harden went off and scored a career-high 45 points against the new-look Hawks.

In order for Atlanta to take the next step and become one of the upper echelon teams in the Eastern Conference, they’re going to have to fix these problems — fast.

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SDS Player of the Game:

James Harden