Through the first game of a hopeful tour to the NBA Finals, franchise cornerstone James Harden was everything LA Clippers’ fans were looking for to argue against his year-round postseason questions. He was the only consistent offensive initiator.
Furthermore, former Clipper Russell Westbrook put the Denver Nuggets up by a field goal with an uncontested corner three-pointer. This all but solidified the Nuggets’ odds to win in the 48-minute frame, but Harden had something else in mind.
Head coach Tyronn Lue had the stupendous scoring guard taking the closing attempt, and he went quick to the float game to get a soft, friendly roll. This was the final basket before overtime.
In an identical way to what he did to the Golden State Warriors, Harden scored seven of LA’s 12 overtime points. The Clippers still lost, but the NBA community is still giving the former MVP his roses for posting 32 points, 11 assists, and six boards in 43 minutes of intense usage and fatigue.
With the Clippers at a 0-1 disadvantage, Harden must help steal one in Denver. This may mean a triple-double, 40-piece, or both, but the bottom line is Harden will need to bite back even harder.
Conversely, the interpretation of Harden in game two is not pleasant, and there is more suspicion that he will fade the superstar pressure.
James Harden has more doubt to disprove in game two than game one for the LA Clippers
In the playoffs there are players in NBA history who thrive in specific sequences of the playoffs. The most known, modern example is ‘Game Six Klay,’ where Klay Thompson shoots the lights out of the arena to come back or end the series.
On the contrary, there are guys who struggle in certain sequences. The LA Clippers have one of those stars in James Harden, who has recently been atrocious in the second game of the first round.
Moreover, last season against Dallas, Harden scored 22 but shot 2-10 from three in 42 minutes. The season before, with the Philadelphia 76ers, he played the Brooklyn Nets and had eight points and five turnovers while shooting 3-13. Go back another season with Philadelphia(2021-22), the 11-time all-star had 14 points and five turnovers over the Toronto Raptors.
That said, tonight Harden can do what his theme of this season has been: defy the doubt. However, if history is duplicated, the Clippers are hours away from losing both back-to-back road games in Denver.