The regularity with which Rockets guard James Harden executes the extraordinary should not render his feats mundane, but in truth they do. That, sometimes, is the burden of greatness.

When Houston, short-handed in the backcourt with Eric Gordon (knee) and Austin Rivers (illness) unavailable, needed Harden to shoulder a disproportionate load against the spry Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena, he answered the call. Again.

Harden produced his fourth 50-point game of the season, torching the Cavaliers for 55 points plus eight assists to carry the Rockets to a 116-110 victory in the opener of a two-game road trip that will conclude on Friday against the Orlando Magic.