Team becomes accustomed to Harden’s day-to-day feats

The Rockets have grown so accustomed to James Harden’s achievements this season, they are no longer surprised by them. But the record book comes in handy when things are put into perspective.

Of the five instances when players have had consecutive 40-point triple-doubles, Harden has done it twice. No one had done it in both games of a back-to-back before Harden had 41 points, 13 boards and 10 assists in New Orleans and 40 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists Saturday in Denver.

Told Harden’s seven games with at least 40 points and double-digit assists and rebounds are two more than any other player in NBA history, coach Mike D’Antoni said Saturday: “That doesn’t surprise me. You watch him, and it doesn’t even surprise you at all. He keeps doing it.

“He’s trying to find some energy after going 38 (minutes) and getting a 40 and a triple-double (Friday) night and 40 and a triple-double tonight.”

With the Nuggets staying with Rockets shooters, Harden was aggressive against the Denver big men. But he described that much as he would his bursts of scoring.

“That’s every game,” said Harden, who averages 29.2 points per game. “That’s my job.”

Harden (11.2 apg) tops Washington’s John Wall by four-tenths of an assist for the lead in the category. He is on pace to have the top scoring average of an assists leader since Nate Archibald in 1972-73.

Harden has produced 56.4 points per game with his scoring or assists, four-tenths of a point behind the NBA record Archibald set that season.

“He’s so fantastic in the way he plays,” center Nene said. “He can involve other players.”