Harden unimpressed with refs in Rockets' 76ers disappointment

James Harden criticised the referees for letting the game "get out of hand" as the Houston Rockets fell to a disappointing 121-93 defeat at the Philadelphia 76ers.

For the 20th consecutive game Harden had a 30-point match, but it was a generally poor shooting performance from the Rockets.

Harden, though, felt the contest changed course towards the end of the second quarter, where he had issues with both Joel Embiid and Corey Brewer.

"Late in that second quarter [it changed], man, we let the game get out of hand," said Harden, in quotes reported by ESPN.

"[The] referees let the game get out of hand. It's kind of hard to come back from a 15-point deficit - especially on the road against a good team.

"There were a couple [of] questionable calls that they got away with that changed the game, especially [when] we're already outnumbered a little bit.

"We are trying to figure out a way to win the game, and I let it get out of hand. But, like I said, we'll figure it out."

On to the next one... pic.twitter.com/WSdMzG2m8t

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 22, 2019

Harden's remarkable streak of 30-point games means he joins the legendary Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to have a tally in the 20s.

Chamberlain had runs of 20, 25, 31 and 65 during his career and Harden is delighted to be in such esteemed company.

"Wilt was doing some obviously unbelievable things and numbers that nobody will ever catch," he added.

"Just to be in the same conversation as those guys is just credit to the work I put in. That's what you play this game for, to be listed with those guys, those top players.

"Obviously, I got a long way to go, but this is a pretty cool beginning."