James Harden is a scoring ‘MACHINE’ insists coach as Rockets take 2-0 playoff series lead
JAMES HARDEN is a scoring “machine” insists Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni as they dominate the Utah Jazz 118-98 in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round series.
Harden notched up his third career post-season triple double as he ended the night with 32 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
The 29-year-old put on an outstanding display of shooting the ball in the first half, as he went in at the break vain scored 25 points and on a shooting average of over fifty percent from the entire court.
The victory in Game 2 of the Western Conference first-round series will see the Rockets take a 2-0 lead into Salt Lake City for Game 3.
After the game D’Antoni explained why his point guard is so successful shooting the ball.
He’s a machine. He just scores
“He just reads what they give him,” he said.
“He just kind of feels what he’s got and what he’s got for that night and if it’s going in he’ll do that more often.
“If not he’ll drive.
“He’s a machine. He just scores.”
The Jazz struggled to keep pace with the Rockets scoring and ended the game with only a 39.8 field goal percentage and things got much worse from behind the arc as they only made eight of 38 attempts from three point range.
Harden ended the night shooting 11-of-24 from the field and was six-of-13 from deep.
D’Antoni is unsure what more he can ask of Harden.
“I don’t know what else we can ask of him,” he said.
“His defence is really good, it’s just that he gets tired every once in awhile.
“So he’s human every once in awhile.
“But the year he’s had has been ridiculous.”
The victory in Game 2 of will see the Rockets take a 2-0 lead into Salt Lake City for Game 3, which will tea place on Saturday at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Utah.