James Harden: Rockets Treating Preseason Like the Regular Season

James Harden and the Rockets are rolling, and even though it’s the preseason, Houston is taking these games very seriously.

Harden lit up the New Orleans Pelicans to the tune of 26 points and 15 assists in a 123-117 win Sunday in Shanghai.

The All-Star guard has averaged 23.3 points and 12 assists, and led Houston to a 3-0 record in the exhibition season.

Per the AP:

Preseason statistics often can be misleading. […] That might not be the case with James Harden right now.

 

After three preseason games, Harden has three points-assists double-doubles — the most recent one Sunday in Shanghai, when he had 26 points and 15 assists to help the Houston Rockets beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-117 in an NBA Global Games matchup.

 

“We’re treating every game of preseason like the regular season in order to build good habits,” Harden said. “We don’t take the preseason lightly.”