16:03, 04-Apr-2018
National Basketball Assocation: Houston 120 - Washington 104
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In the NBA, the Houston Rockets have already secured the league's top record. So with a handful of games to go all that is left is to make sure no one gets hurt before the playoffs, and also try and help James Harden secure his first MVP award. And the Beard would show everyone why he is the front-runner for the award this year.
Harden would start cooking in the opening quarter, doing his thing, shaking and baking, and nailing the step back three. He had 10 in the period as the hosts lead by 9.
Then he is able to force his man to retreat -- maybe a little push-off -- but he cans another jumper on his way to 24 first half points. H-Town up 16.
Second half and the Wiz try and double team him -- but the Rockets are able to beat that and get a wide-open triple for Chris Paul. The hosts in complete control leading by 19. More from the MVP front-runner as he toys with his defender, getting him on skates and cans another stepback -- no one is better in the NBA at that. The lead is 21.
Harden finishing with 38 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, as the Houston bench loves it as they roll to a franchise record 63rd win of the year.
In other games, Cleveland got 27 points from LeBron James in beating Toronto. Philadelphia ran their winstreak to 11 games after beating Brooklyn. Milwaukee moves to within a game of clinching a playoff spot after topping Boston. Golden State edges OKC thanks to 34 points from Kevin Durant. Russell Westbrook had 44 in the loss. Utah beats the Lakers. And Miami clinched a playoff spot with their victory.