Superstar guard James Harden and starting center Dwight Howard each set new playoff career-highs (at the time) with 42 points and 26 rebounds, respectively, in Houston’s road win at Dallas on April 24, 2015.
The 130-128 win (box score) gave the Rockets a commanding 3-0 lead in the first-round series, which they closed out in five games. The Mavs were led by 34 points apiece from Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis.
Harden had shot just 32.1% combined (22.2% on 3-pointers) in the first two games of the series. But he silenced any doubters in Game 3 by scoring 42 in Dallas on 62.5% shooting, including 5-of-7 (71.4%) on treys. He also hit a clutch mid-range shot in the final minute secure the win.
The 2014-15 Rockets went 56-26 in the regular season and were the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. As expected, they took care of the No. 7 Mavericks with relative ease, and Houston eventually reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1996-97.
Harden eventually exceeded his Game 3 total versus Dallas by scoring 45 points in Game 4 against Golden State, who went on to win that season’s NBA title. That total remains his career playoff high today. After the 2014-15 season concluded, Harden was named MVP by his fellow players.
