If there were any lingering doubt about who the front-runner is for MVP this season, James Harden should’ve effectively erased any remaining reluctance on the part of the voters.
In Houston’s 111-105 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, Harden was spectacular, tying his career-high in scoring with 61 points, including nine three-pointers, to send San Antonio to just their second loss in their last 10 games.
Harden scored 27 points in the first quarter alone, outscoring the entire Spurs team, and went into the half with 37 points. By the final buzzer, he’d gone 19-of-34 from the field overall and added seven rebounds and three steals, while converting 14 of his 17 free-throw attempts.
James Harden outscored the Spurs 27-24 in the first quarter 🔥
(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/8ddwwZ9k2C
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 23, 2019
He also led his own personal 13-0 run late in the fourth-quarter to secure the victory.
13-0 run for @JHarden13 en route to 61 PTS propels the @HoustonRockets to victory! #Rockets pic.twitter.com/9D0erDHOOR
— NBA (@NBA) March 23, 2019
Harden was one of just three Rockets in double figures on the night, as Chris Paul chipped in 18 points and five assists for the game, while Eric Gordon added 12 points and had a tough night from the field as he shot just 4-of-13 overall.
The Rockets remain four games behind both the Nuggets and Warriors, who are neck and neck for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference standings. The loss knocks the Spurs all the way down to the No. 8 spot, as just a single game separates the five through eight seeds.
