/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47606983/usa-today-8907632.0.jpg)
The Rockets collected their third straight win over the Kings on Friday night, 116-100. The win had a very "last season" feel to it. The Rockets played without what felt like half the team, James Harden put the team on his back and they scored a lot of points.
The game had some good moments and then some bad moments, below are my three takeaways.
James Harden had his best game of the season and it wasn't even close.
Harden, for the first time this season, looked... well... Harden-like. Last season's MVP runner-up finished the game with 43 points (13-23 FG), 6 rebounds, 13 assists and 2 steals. That stat line could have been taken from a few games last year.
Harden on Friday made shots, drove the lane, found shooters/rollers, and looked very comfortable. It was a far cry to the Harden who was shooting 29% to start the season.
Ty Lawson may have been bringing the ball up the court, but Harden was the general the Friday night.
A Capela coming out party!
Dwight Howard who? Ok maybe not, but Clint Capela provided some very nice Dwight Howardish moments. Capela and James Harden completed a handful pick and rolls ending in Capela jams. The Swiss Roll changed many shots and even blocked four. Capela even rebounded the ball like we have all see Howard do many times.
Capela finished his night with 13 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 blocks. It should be noted DeMarcus Cousins did not play, but Kosta Koufos is no scrub. It was his first career double-double.
You allowed how much to Omri Casspi?
The Rockets held the Kings starting lineup in check. The guy I guess they forgot to account for was Omri Casspi, who lit the Rockets up on 8-10 shooting for 22 points.
Casspi and the Kings second unit gave the Rockets all they could handle forcing the core four of James Harden, Ty Lawson, Marcus Thornton and Trevor Ariza to all play over 37 minutes. (Ed. note: Marcus Thornton is a core player now. What a world.)