James Harden posts season-high 57 points as Houston Rockets blast away from Memphis Grizzlies The Houston Rockets beat the Memphis Grizzlies 112-94 James Harden weighed in wiht 57 points - his best return of the season He has now played 17 straight games where he has managed at least 30 points Reigning MVP Harden's haul by half-time was a massive 36 pointsBy Associated Press Published: 07:43 GMT, 15 January 2019 | Updated: 08:23 GMT, 15 January 2019 Viewcomments James Harden scored a season-high 57 points to carry the short-handed Houston Rockets to a 112-94 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. The reigning MVP extended his streak of 30-point games to 17 by halftime, pouring in 36 points over the first two quarters to put Houston on top. It's the longest such streak since Wilt Chamberlain had 20 straight games of at least 30 points in 1964. It's the franchise-record 14th time Harden has scored 40 this season and the eighth time in his last 11 games. It's the third time he's topped 50 points this season and the 12th time in his career. He surpassed his previous season best of 54 against Washington and fell just shy of the career-high and club-record 60 points he scored last January against Orlando. James Harden drives to the basket during his 57-point game for the Houston Rockets After his huge first half, the Grizzlies double-teamed Harden on most every possession in the first few minutes of the third quarter and he didn't score again until there were about five minutes left in the period. That basket was the start of an 11-0 run capped by a 3-pointer from Harden that pushed the Rockets' lead to 76-60 with about 3 1/2 minutes remaining in the third. A 3-pointer by JaMychal Green got the Grizzlies within 12 later in the third before Harden scored five quick points to make it 87-70. Garrett Temple and Mike Conley scored 14 each for the Grizzlies, who lost for the eighth time in nine games. Harden's big game came on a night when the Rockets were without three starters, as center Clint Capela joined Chris Paul and Eric Gordon on the injured list after he hurt his right thumb Sunday night. It's possible Capela could miss significant time, but coach Mike D'Antoni said the team won't know how long he'll be out until he gets a second opinion later this week. Harden was in superb form as the Rockets didn't miss their injured starters Memphis doubled-teamed Harden after the break at the Toyota Center But he still managed to finish the game strongly and left to a standing ovation A night after scoring 38 points in a loss to Orlando despite going 1 for 17 from 3-point range, Harden made his first two 3s and finished 6 of 15. It's the 13th time in the last 14 games that he's drained at least five after his NBA-record streak of 12 straight ended with his cold shooting performance against the Magic. Harden made 15 of 17 free throws and had nine rebounds, two assists and two steals. He crashed to the court making a 3 as he was fouled by Green to give him 52 points with just under five minutes remaining. Harden completed the four-point play to make it 103-85. Harden went to the bench to a standing ovation with 3:35 remaining and Houston ahead 107-85. After the game Harden was asked how he was able to put Sunday's loss to Orlando behind him so quickly. 'I went 1 for 17? That's a lot of 3s missed,' he deadpanned. 'Oh wow!' Then the reigning MVP, who scored 38 points against the Magic despite that terrible statistic, got serious when asked if it's easy to forget about such a night. 'Yeah, because if I make six of them it's on,' he said. 'It's a 60-point game. So Orlando got lucky last night.' Harden was glad to put the previous night behind him when he missed more than a few TIP-INS Grizzlies: Kyle Anderson missed the game after spraining his left ankle Saturday. ... Jaren Jackson Jr. had 12 points. Rockets: Paul missed his 12th game in a row with a strained left hamstring. ... Gordon missed his eighth straight game with a bruised right knee. ... It was D'Antoni's 600th career win. ... Danuel House had 15 points and Austin Rivers scored 11. ... Nene started in place of Capela. UP NEXT Grizzlies: Host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. Rockets: Host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility