Westbrook scores triple-double as Rockets beat Raptors 119-109
TORONTO — No matter what, the Toronto Raptors were determined to double-team James Harden.
The rest of the Houston Rockets made sure that strategy didn’t pay off.
Russell Westbrook had 19 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, Harden shook off a slow start to score 23 and the Rockets beat the Raptors 119-109 on Thursday night, snapping a three-game road losing streak.
Ben McLemore had a season-high 28 points, P.J. Tucker added 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Danuel House Jr. scored 16 as Houston handed Toronto its second consecutive home loss after a franchise-record nine straight wins to begin the season.
With Harden drawing an extra defender every time he had the ball, his play-making skills were more important than points for once.
“James, to his credit, didn’t force anything,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He said, ‘OK, double me and my teammates will score tonight,’ and they did it.”
Toronto guard Fred VanVleet said the Raptors have “definitely stretched the spectrum” with creative defensive schemes this season.
“This was one of those things that didn’t go our way,” VanVleet said. “If we would have scored 11 more points, we’d be geniuses and the defense was the best thing in the world and we’d be Hardenstoppers.”
Harden shot 7 for 11, his fewest attempts of the season, and failed to finish as Houston’s leading scorer for the second time. The only other time was an opening-night loss to Milwaukee in which Harden shot 2 for 13 and scored a seasonlow 19 points.
“We’ve seen so many different defenses throughout the course of the year,” Harden said. “Tonight was our first time seeing this defense. Guys did an unbelievable job of moving their bodies and being ready to shoot.”
McLemore set a career high by making eight 3-pointers on 17 attempts. Tucker matched his season high with five made 3s. Houston finished 22 for 55 from long range.
“When you’re giving guys, NBA pros, open looks like that, it’s tough,” House said. “Especially the amount of time that we had, guys are going to shoot. They were just knocking them down all night.”
Harden landed hard after being elbowed in the head on his drive to end the third quarter. He was tended to by trainers before getting to his feet and slowly walking to the locker room, but returned 2 1/2 minutes into the final period.