James Harden returns to Houston for the first time since being traded to the Nets

Houston, TX- James Harden gets the win after returning to Houston since the trade, 132-114.

With the Nets riding a eight game winning streak, they wanted to keep the streak going and help Harden pull out a victory over his former team. Harden started the first half a tad bit slow. He had a couple of turnovers in the first quarter, but turned it on in the second quarter. Harden hit a couple of threes in the quarter to put the Nets up in double figures. He finished the half with 14 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds.

The Nets were defensively shutting down the Houston Rockets in the first half and forced them to take ill-advised shots, as well as got into the passing lanes to get a couple of steals. On the offensive end, Brooklyn shot around 59% from the field and at the end of break had a 67-54 lead over the Rockets.

Brooklyn busted out their offense at the start of second and went on a 10-2 run to break the game wide open. Harden and Kyrie Irving got their role players involved with precised passing by driving down the middle of the lane, and kicking it out to the open shooter. In the fourth quarter, things got a little bit interesting, as the Rockets cut the lead to single digits mid-way in the quarter. However, that was short lived, as Harden hit back to back three point shots to extend the Nets' lead back to double digits.

Brooklyn kept their foot on the gas and did not allow the Rockets to get back in the game. The Nets went on to win 132-114.

Harden finished with 29 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. He also became the sixth player in NBA history to score a triple double in their first game against their former team.