Inglewood, CA (News4usOnline) – The Intuit Dome played host to an NBA postseason game for the first time since opening at the beginning of the season, and the building was absolutely rocking as the Clippers trounced the Nuggets in Game 3, 117-83, to take a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference first-round playoff series.
Denver started the game 8-9 from the field and 3-3 from three-point range, building a 20-14 lead four and a half minutes into the game. Tyronn Lue used an early challenge on a called Ivica Zubac foul that would have prolonged the Nuggets’ run. The call was ultimately overturned, and the Clippers took off from there.
Orchestrated by James Harden, LA caught fire at the end of the first quarter, taking a 35-28 lead into the second. Harden scored 13 points in the period.
“A masterpiece of taking what the defense gives you. If they are going to be in a drop, attacking downhill; if they are going to be in a blitz, making the right read,” said Lue. “I thought James did a really good job of just being patient and taking what the defense gave him.”
Harden was nothing short of spectacular during the regular season, and the Los Angeles native has kept it going over the first three games of the postseason.
The 2017-18 MVP scored 20 points in the first half of Game 3, helping the Clippers build an 18-point halftime lead.
Harden has been through a lot. He has led the league in scoring three times and in assists twice. He adapted his game to play with superstars like Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid, to name a few. After 16 seasons in the NBA, Harden has a better feel for what the game calls for from quarter to quarter than almost any player in the league, and he is still capable of fulfilling nearly any role on the offensive end.
In Game 3, Harden was the aggressor, making sure he was the first soldier to show up for battle, allowing his comrades to join the party after the opposition was already weakened.
He got the free-throw line, drew fouls, and attacked the basket early before getting his step-back jumper going in the second quarter once the defense had retreated.
“These guys know that the ball is going to get to them eventually,” said Harden. “My job is easy. I can score, but I am a facilitator as well. I understand when guys are going, and when it is time for me to insert myself. That is the cool part about it. I am running the show, but understanding if other guys have it going, I can facilitate and make guys better. It is possession by possession, game by game, and tonight it was a collective group.”
The second half was all about everybody else. Harden did not score again in the game, instead opting to set up his teammates all over the floor. Norman Powell, Kawhi Leonard, Nicolas Batum, and Zubac got it going, ensuring Denver did not get back into the game.
Six players scored in double figures for LA, with three breaking the 20-point mark. Zubac came up just shy with 19. Harden finished the game with nine assists and checked out to a standing ovation midway through the fourth quarter.
“Being aggressive is always the mindset. For me, being aggressive is not just scoring; that is also facilitating and doing other things. I got some shots to go early and rallied the guy, then everybody else made shots,” said Harden.
When Harden gets cooking, he can still take it back to his MVP days in Houston. Add a healthy Kawhi Leonard to the mix, and this series could be over sooner than people expected, but the Clippers need to keep their foot on the gas. Nikola Jokic can easily take over Game 4 and send the series back to Denver 2-2 if LA is not careful.
There is so much work left to be done, but Harden has made the playoffs in every season of his career and knows there is no time to celebrate.
“We have to start preparing for Game 4 now. We know what we are dealing with; Jokic is something special. Those guys have been together for a while and have won a championship together. We are not celebrating. We did what we are supposed to do. I have been in the playoffs for 16 years, and the earlier we can get a jump on Game 4, the better off we will be,” said Harden.
At 35, this might be the most complete version of James Harden. He has total control of his game and always knows how to play his role. Not to mention, he can still score 20 points in a half and make it look pretty easy.
If Harden can lead LA to an NBA Finals appearance, the trade for him last season might go down as the best in franchise history.
Benjamin Verbrugge is a reporter for News4usonline who studied journalism at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Sports have brought me much joy throughout my life, and I want to give a little back to something that has meant so much to me.” Email Benjamin at benverbrugge8@gmail.com.
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