Wizards at Rockets
Houston coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters James Harden is playing as good as he’s ever played the last few games and the former MVP will try to continue his offensive surge when the Rockets host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. Harden is averaging 43 points, 9.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists while shooting 52.1 percent from the field in the last three contests to help Houston extend its winning streak to four.
“He’s the best offensive player I’ve ever seen - like, seriously,” Rockets point guard Chris Paul told reporters of Harden after Monday’s 102-97 home win over Utah. “He can drive. He can shoot. He’s got ballhandling, so it’s going to be a tough night for you, whoever it is.” Houston can match its season-high winning streak with a victory against the Wizards, who beat the Rockets 135-131 in overtime on Nov. 26 in Washington despite a season-high 54 points from Harden. The Wizards had won nine of 14 games from mid-November to early December, sliding back into playoff contention, but have dropped five of the last six after falling 118-110 at Atlanta on Tuesday. Shooting guard Bradley Beal has still continued to produce big numbers for Washington, averaging 28.4 points over the last seven contests after scoring 29 and grabbing 10 rebounds for his second straight double-double and third of the season Tuesday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, AT&T Sportsnet Southwest (Houston)
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (12-19): Veteran forward Trevor Ariza recorded 19 points, eight rebounds, six steals and four assists in his first game back with Washington after being acquired from Phoenix last week. The 33-year-old Ariza spent two years with the Wizards (2012-14) and moved on to Houston for the next four campaigns before signing with the Suns, where he averaged 9.9 points in 26 games this season. All-Star point guard John Wall followed up his 40-point performance against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday by scoring 15 on 6-of-18 shooting Tuesday.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (15-14): Harden connected on 14-of-31 from the field to score 47 against Utah on Monday, but the rest of the team shot just 32.7 percent from the field - including 3-of-15 from the reserves. Center Clint Capela was held to five points Monday, but is second on the team in scoring (17.2) and leads the way on the boards (11.7) while shooting 63.8 percent from the field. Paul is averaging 15.8 points and 8.2 assists, but connected on just 11-of-42 shots from the field the last four games, and fellow guard Eric Gordon is 6-of-24 in the past two contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Washington G Tomas Satoransky has scored 11 points in each of the last two games and drained 8-of-11 from the field combined.
2. Houston F P.J. Tucker averaged 15 points the last two games - seven more than his season mark.
3. The Wizards are 4-13 on the road after losing the last four - including three against teams sitting out of playoff position.