Wizards at Rockets
The Washington Wizards have climbed their way to .500 for the first time this season, but now must contend with the statistical marvel that is James Harden when they visit his Houston Rockets on Monday. Harden is coming off a historic effort in which he became the first player in NBA history to record at least 50 points, 15 assists and 15 rebounds in a 129-122 win over the New York Knicks on New Year's Eve.
Harden finished with a career-high 53 points, 17 assists and 16 boards as the Rockets won their fourth straight. "When I look at it, it is unbelievable," Harden told reporters. "This season so far has been unbelievable. The chemistry, the wins feel really, really good. Just the vibe around here helps for us to go out on the court and have fun with each other." Houston has averaged a phenomenal 130.8 points during its four-game run, which polished off a 15-2 record for December. The Wizards reeled off 10 victories in 15 tries last month, including three straight to finish 2016 - the most recent a 118-95 rout of the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSN Mid-Atlantic (Washington), ROOT (Houston)
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (16-16): Friday offered a rare chance for guard Trey Burke to shine, as the fourth-year pro broke out for a season-high 27 points while making all five of his 3-point tries, helping Washington roll without starter Bradley Beal (ankle). "We needed somebody," coach Scott Brooks told the media. "Trey just had an amazing night. ... He played very controlled. He had a nice rhythm, the guys were getting him open and he made a couple of tough shots but when you make shots early I think the basket becomes bigger." Beal, who was one of three Wizards to score at least 20 points in a 114-106 loss to Houston earlier this season, is considered day-to-day.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (26-9): While Harden is rolling, backcourt mate Patrick Beverley has missed two of the past three games - the first with a quad contusion and then Saturday's win due to wrist soreness. Forward Ryan Anderson served as a nice complement to Harden with 25 points on 8-of-12 shooting and he averaged 16.3 points while hitting 3.1 3-pointers per game in December. Harden went for 32 points and 15 assists in the previous meeting at Washington as the Rockets defeated the Wizards for the 18th time in the last 23 encounters.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Wizards PG John Wall had 19 points and 14 assists versus Brooklyn and has recorded eight double-doubles in his last nine games.
2. Harden has shot at least 50 percent from the floor in a season-high four straight games.
3. Washington is 0-3 on the road against Western Conference opponents.