Harden's historic line vaults Rockets over Clippers

There's no mercy for the weak in the National Basketball Association, and taking on a Los Angeles Clippers team missing Blake Griffin and Chris Paul on Friday, the Houston Rockets didn't show any to the opposition.

The night belonged to All-Star shooting guard James Harden, whose seventh triple-double of the 2016-17 regular season helped guide the Rockets to a convincing 140-116 victory at the Toyota Center.

In 33 minutes, Harden scored 30 points on just 15 shots from the field, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists. He also contributed to five of Houston's 12 steals for the game.

By doing so, Harden became the first player since Paul in 2009 to finish with a line of at least 30 points, 10 boards, 10 dimes, and five steals.

Only eight other players in league history - Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Derrick Coleman, Fat Lever, Terry Cummings, Larry Bird, Alvin Robertson, and Michael Ray Richardson - have put together such a line since steals were first recorded in 1973-74.

The win was the Rockets' third in a row and fourth in their last five games. They'll look to keep their hot streak alive Saturday when they host the New York Knicks.