Harden drops another 50-plus game with 54
The Rockets report, brought to you by APG&E: Rockets beat Magic 130-107
Dec 13, 2019, 8:23 pm
For the second straight game, James Harden put up more than 50, scoring 54 as the Rockets raced past the Magic 130-107. He now has 109 points in his last two games. For the second game in a row, he did not do much of it at the free throw line, going 6 of 6.
Russell Westbrook had another solid game with 23 points on 9 of 18 shooting.
Star of the game: Hmmm...this is a toughie. Actually, no, it's all Harden, who is playing at a terrific level. He was 10 of 15 on 3-pointers.
Key moment: The Rockets were up 94-78 when James Harden stole the ball and went the distance to score at the buzzer of the third quarter. Orlando never threatened after that.
Up next: The Rockets host the Pistons at Toyota Center tomorrow night at 8 p.m.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won’t have a prolonged stay on the injured list.
The three-time All-Star went on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday, and returned to Houston for an MRI that revealed the muscle strain.
“We look at it as good news,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before their Wednesday afternoon game with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Espada expressed hope that Alvarez wouldn’t have to stay on the injured list longer than the required 10 days. He also said the hand issue may have played a role in Alvarez’s slow start.
Alvarez, 27, is hitting .210 with a .306 on-base percentage, three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season. He batted .308 with a .392 on-base percentage, 35 homers and 86 RBIs in 147 games last year while ranking ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player balloting.
He has posted an OPS of at least .959 and has finished 13th or higher in the MVP voting each of the last three seasons.
“Once he heals, once he gets back, I think we’ll see a more aggressive at bat and be not as cautious,” Espada said. “I think it had something to do with it, yes.”
His potential return could go a long way toward boosting an Astros lineup that hasn’t been as productive as usual this season. The Astros entered Wednesday’s action ranked 21st in the majors in runs (136) and 23rd in OPS (.676). Houston has ranked 11th or better in both those categories each of the last four seasons.