Rockets Salvage Road Trip as James Harden Drops 44 in Win vs. Grizzlies

James Harden notched his third 40-point game of the year behind a season-best seven threes in Houston's 107-100 win

The Rockets finished their road trip with an increased intensity in a 107-100 win at Memphis on Monday, riding 44 points from James Harden to advance to 4–3 on the season. Houston struggled to contain rookie point guard Ja Morant in stretches, though the second-half defense signaled a baseline of competency unseen in the previous two contests. Perhaps Sunday's embarrassment in Miami provided a wake-up call following back-to-back losses. 

Here are three takeaways from Monday's win in Memphis. 

The Duality of Harden

The Rockets brass spent much of last year championing James Harden's defensive improvement, highlighting both The Beard's increased effort and his staunch defense in the post. Such progress hasn't been evident in 2019-20. Harden was especially sluggish early on the defensive end against Memphis, making a slate of mistakes as a rotational defender. Memphis feasted attacking Harden on the perimeter. 

McLemore obviously made a bad pass, but Harden was just a saloon door here. pic.twitter.com/98mgAklqiR

— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) November 5, 2019

Harden's just allowed backdoor cut after backdoor cut.

You can't complain about shooting disparities when you're also beating yourself with plays like this. pic.twitter.com/wUfge0FFzi

— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) November 5, 2019

Harden appeared more engaged in the second half, and he excelled in a slate of possessions as a post defender. Regardless, the defensive woes were of minor note considering Harden's offensive impact. The two-time scoring champion finished the night with 44 points–his third 40-point game of the season–along with 10 rebounds and six assists, and he finished with a season-high seven threes. Even amid Harden recent shooting struggles, Harden remains among the game's premier shot-makers.

The 2017-18 MVP has posted his most impressive numbers from the line this year, attempting free throws at a historic rate. Harden has now attempted 113 free throws in seven games, on pace for 1291 attempts if he plays 80 games. That would be the second-most in a single season in NBA history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain. Harden has struggled from the field to start the year, but his free-throw rate should keep him at the top of the scoring title race.  

Signs of Life From Eric Gordon?

Eric Gordon didn't have a strong night from the field on Monday. He made just five of 17 attempts, and the Indiana product shot 3-9 from three. A look at Gordon's box score suggests he's still in the midst of a deep offensive funk. But Gordon's aggressiveness on Monday told a different story.

Gordon spent much of the season's first six games as little more than a stationary shooting, eschewing nearly all opportunity to slash to the rim. Monday provided a start contrast. Gordon attacked closeouts with abandon, attempting to jumpstart his season with easy buckets as opposed to long-range bombs. Perhaps his first dunk of the season will do the trick.

First dunk of the year for Eric Gordon https://t.co/mk6TI3MQj1

— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) November 5, 2019

Houston made a significant commitment to Gordon with a four-year, $75 million extension in September, and his early performance suggested an unwise investment. Perhaps the early sample will look like an outlier after 82 games. 

House Provides Needed Spark

Rockets' lineups without Russell Westbrook are naturally prone to defensive struggles, especially when Gordon and Harden share backcourt duties. Danuel House provided the necessary glue to Houston's defense on Monday. The third-year swingman stuffed the stat sheet on Monday despite a 2-9 finish from three, adding 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. House covered ground with abandon, and he was a necessary fulcrum of the Rockets' defense as Houston attempted to contain Morant. House guarded both point guards and bigs on Monday, and he was at times the lone active defender in the first half. Mike D'Antoni's decision to insert House into the starting lineup (despite a benching for Gordon on Sunday) has paid off thus far. Expect a hefty minutes share for House throughout 2019-20. 

Up next: vs. Golden State on Wednesday

The Rockets return home for a brief one-game homestand on Wednesday in what originally looked to be a marquee early-season matchup against the Warriors. Golden State hasn't lived up to its end of the billing. Steph Curry is out for three months and Klay Thompson isn't expected to return this season. What's left is a jarring skeleton crew, one that could finish last in the West in 2019-20. Wednesday could bring a revenge blowout win for the Rockets.