James Harden went off for 50 points in the LA Clippers‘ 123-115 win over the Detroit Pistons in front of former President Barack Obama and 17,926 other fans at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on Wednesday night.
Harden scored 16 of his 50 points from the free-throw line. He had 20 free throw attempts total on Wednesday night.
Following the game, a few members of the Pistons were upset with how the game was called in Harden’s favor. Cade Cunningham said the Clippers receiving helpful calls from the officiating crew helped LA get the victory.
JB Bickerstaff unhappy with calls going the LA Clippers’ way

Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff went as far as to say that his team was unable to guard Harden with the way fouls were being called on Wednesday night.
“You’re not allowed to put your body on him legally, and he’s allowed to shoot twenty free throws, you’re not going to be able to guard him,” Bickerstaff said via FanDuel Sports Network in Detroit. “You know what I mean, he’s an elite offensive weapon who can score in a bunch of ways. But you know, when he’s allowed to get to the free throw line twenty times it just makes your job extremely difficult.”
JB Bickerstaff talks about defending James Harden, following the Pistons loss to the Clippers. #DetroitBasketball pic.twitter.com/TzgRPAX0kx
— FanDuel Sports Network Detroit (@FanDuelSN_DET) March 6, 2025
James Harden had more free throws than the Detroit Pistons

The Clippers shot 26 free throws total on Wednesday night. Detroit shot 19 total free throws, one less than Harden had against them.
Harden has always been smart about how he takes fouls. It’s a part of why he’s a superstar.
Detroit will need to figure out another way to beat Harden and the Clippers when he’s getting to the line. Other teams have done it. The Clippers have lost 29 games this season.

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