NBA: James Harden surpasses Allen Iverson for 5th-most 40-point games

The 2020 NBA MVP race is heating up this season and James Harden just made the choice for MVP 2020 even tougher. James Harden notched up a 44-point display against the Memphis Grizzlies to lead the Houston Rockets to a convincing 107-100 win. In doing so, Harden has surpassed NBA icon Allen Iverson for the fifth-most 40-point games in the history of the NBA.

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James Harden in elite company

Interestingly, his 44-point display against the Grizzlies was the 80th 40-point game of his career. Many have played down James Harden's claim to the MVP this season. However, after a dominating 40-point display against the Grizzlies, NBA fans might want to keep an eye on his MVP odds this season. Only Wilt Chamberlain (271), Michael Jordan (173), Kobe Bryant (122) and Elgin Baylor (88) are currently ahead of the Rockets superstar on the list. 

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James Harden is considered as one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA. Therefore, it is no surprise that the seven-time NBA All-Star always turns up for the Rockets when the chips are down. Harden racked up 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block on the night. All of this coming at a time when the Rockets entered the game against the Grizzlies as one of the worst teams defending the three-point line in the NBA. 

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After leading the league scoring-wise last season, James Harden seems to have picked up right where he left off. Harden is averaging 36.6 points per game in the 2019-20 season, with 4.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game. With NBA MVP Russell Westbrook joining forces with Harden in the off-season, the duo is expected to lead the charge when it comes to the Houston Rockets' NBA Finals push in the coming seasons. However, the Rockets have blown hot and cold this season. Harden's Rockets suffered an embarrassing 29-point loss to the Miami Heat in their last game. Interestingly, the Rockets are currently averaging the third-most points per game, but are also the third-most poor team in the NBA this season, defensively. 

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