Of all the ways the Rockets have won games in recent weeks – ranging from James Harden going nuts to James Harden going truly insane – the Rockets went another way.
Harden kept his 30-point streak going, but he did not dominate. The Rockets did not pour in 3s. The Rockets did not need to beat a buzzer, even if they still had to hold their breath on a final shot again.
They instead found just enough scoring from Kenneth Faried, the center picked up on Monday, to do the rest. Faried was everywhere, finishing breaks, catching lobs, grabbing boards, blocking shots and drawing charges, until the Rockets knocked off the Toronto Raptors, 121-119, Friday at Toyota Center.