Rockets at Kings
All-Star guard James Harden continues to put up huge numbers and he will attempt to post another high-scoring effort when the Houston Rockets visit the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Harden scored 50 or more points in three of the past six games and collected 50 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in Saturday's 119-108 home win over the Kings.
Harden recorded his fifth 50-point triple-double - an NBA record - and also knocked down seven 3-pointers to become the ninth player in NBA history to top 2,000 for his career in Saturday's victory. "It's remarkable what he does, and he does it every night," Houston coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters. "I keep thinking, 'Gosh, can he do this every game?' And then he does it for three years." The Rockets have won 16 of their last 19 games as they battle the Portland Trail Blazers for the third seed in the Western Conference while Sacramento will miss the playoffs for the 13th straight season. The Kings need to go 4-1 down the stretch to notch a winning season for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), NBCS California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (49-28): Harden is averaging 42.8 over the past six games to raise his league-leading scoring mark to 36.4. He has nine 50-point efforts this season - the most since Kobe Bryant had 10 in 2006-07 - and his 353 3-pointers are the second most in NBA history behind Stephen Curry, who made 402 in 2015-16. Center Clint Capela had 24 points and 15 rebounds against the Kings for his third straight double-double and 41st of the season, one off last season's career-best total.
ABOUT THE KINGS (38-39): Sacramento was eliminated from playoff contention with Saturday's loss in Houston but bounced back 24 hours later to end an 11-game slide in San Antonio while registering a 113-106 win over the Spurs. Shooting guard Buddy Hield is aware of the winning-record drought and he will be satisfied with a 3-2 finish to avoid another losing season. "For sure, without a doubt," Hield told reporters. "We've just got to come out and be ready to play. We can't overlook and say the season's over. We have a goal, let's get that. I think that will leave a good mark on the organization and a good mark heading into next season."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Rockets are 3-0 against the Kings this season with an average winning margin of 19 points.
2. Sacramento rookie PF Marvin Bagley III (illness) sat out Sunday but is expected to return against the Rockets.
3. Houston SG Eric Gordon is 9-of-17 from 3-point range over the past two games.