HOUSTON -- Maski ang mga da-ting star players ng Houston Rockets ay hindi naagawan ng eksena si James Harden nitong Huwebes ng gabi.
Umiskor si Harden ng career-high 50 points bukod pa sa 10 rebounds para banderahan ang Rockets sa 118-108 panalo laban sa Denver Nuggets sa gabing ipinagdiwang ng koponan ang ika-20 anibersaryo ng back-to-back NBA titles ng prangkisa noong 1994 at 1995.
Si Harden ay pinanood nina Hakeem Olajuwon at Clyde Drexler sa front row.
“That’s a special group right there,’’ sabi ni Harden. “We’re trying to build something special like they did (and) to play a game in front of them was definitely an honor.’’
Ito ang pang-siyam na beses na isang Rockets player na nakaiskor ng 50 points at unang pagkakataon matapos ang 51 ni Olajuwon kontra sa Boston Celtics noong Jan. 18, 1996.
Tinabunan ni Harden ang nauna niyang career-best na 46 points noong 2013 mula sa free throw papasok sa hu-ling minuto ng laro.
Sa sumunod na posesyon ng Houston, pinasahan siya ni Trevor Ariza sa corner at nagsalpak ng tres para sa kanyang pang-50 points.
“It just looked so easy,’’ ani Ariza. “It was like he just woke up and walked out there and had 50. That’s how easily he scored the basketball.’’
Ngumiti si Harden nang tanungin tungkol sa kanyang 3-pointer.
“Many, my teammates are amazing,’’ ani Harden. “Trevor noticed what was going ... dribbled right at me, I just said: ‘I’m going to let it fly’ and it went in.’’