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Blake Griffin spent loads of years going up in opposition to James Harden with the Clippers and Rockets common contenders within the Western Convention. Now, after three video games as a teammate with the Nets, he’s obtained a unique perspective.
“It is loopy. He simply makes the sport really easy for you, you recognize, and attracts a lot consideration,” mentioned Griffin. “However on the similar time, you clearly have a look at his help numbers they usually’re unbelievable as nicely. So, taking part in in opposition to him it was type of at all times a type of issues the place you hoped to sluggish him down. And now taking part in with him, you actually recognize taking part in with guys like that as a result of, you recognize, most of my pictures are simply ‘be prepared.’ And he does a fantastic job of discovering you, so it is not one thing I take without any consideration.”
This was after Harden went for a season-high 44 factors in Friday night time’s 113-111 win in Detroit. Three nights earlier, he matched his profession excessive with 17 assists in opposition to Portland. Requested after the win over the Pistons about this season’s crowded MVP race, Harden was direct.
“I really feel like I’m the MVP,” mentioned Harden. “It’s simply that easy. Simply, I don’t need to discuss, I don’t need to communicate individually on myself. I’m simply going to go away it at that. However I simply attempt to go on the market each single night time and provides my teammates every part I can convey to the sport. Tonight, Detroit’s sport plan and schemes had been to remove the lob move and never let our bigs get lobs and our shooters get pictures. That allowed me to get to the basket and do layups all night time. So, it’s simply totally different. Video games are totally different, and I simply take what the protection provides me and the subsequent sport, it could be extra lobs than pictures. So I simply play the sport the correct approach and attempt to be environment friendly in doing it.”
Harden additionally had 14 rebounds in opposition to the Pistons, plus eight assists in 42 minutes. He leads the Nets in rebounds with 8.9 per sport since becoming a member of the staff and leads the league with 11.2 assists and 38.1 minutes per sport. Harden is third within the NBA with 11 triple-doubles and seventh with 29 double-doubles. He is averaging 26.0 factors in his 31 video games with Brooklyn.
“He calls for a lot consideration with the ball in his hand,” mentioned Nic Claxton. “When he’s dribbling and getting downhill, it actually places bigs in a extremely robust situation as a result of in the event that they step up in any respect then it is a lob to me or to (DeAndre Jordan) or whoever could also be in with him. In the event that they resolve to remain again, it is a simple layup or floater. He can rating the ball. He can get his teammates concerned. It makes the sport look lots simpler when he’s on the market, for positive.”
The Nets are 24-9 since Harden made his debut on Jan. 16 and 15-3 during the last 18 video games with out Kevin Durant.
“He actually does every part for us,” mentioned Bruce Brown. “He’s our captain on the market on the ground on each ends of the ground. I do know he does not get numerous kudos for his defensive play, however he positively straps up when he must. Yeah, he does every part for us. He makes the sport lots simpler for everybody on the ground — together with me. He’s making me seem like a fantastic participant on the market, so I give him kudos for that and yeah, he does every part for us so comfortable to have him with us.”
IRVING IS IN VS. MINNESOTA
Steve Nash mentioned guard Kyrie Irving could be obtainable in opposition to the Timberwolves on Monday after lacking Brooklyn’s three-game highway journey as a consequence of a household matter. The wait will proceed for Landry Shamet, who missed the final three video games with a sprained ankle, and Kevin Durant, who has missed the final 18 video games with a hamstring pressure.
“They received’t play tomorrow,” mentioned Nash. “I doubt they play this week, throwing it on the market. Kevin performed 4-on-4 with the fellows and appears good and is progressing however nonetheless must be monitored and nonetheless have to get a certain quantity of markers underneath his belt earlier than we might put him within the body once more. Landry I believe wants time. It’s not gonna be a long-term factor, however he’s not obtainable tomorrow for positive.”
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves have the NBA’s worst file, 11-35. They made a midseason teaching change, with Chris Finch changing Ryan Saunders. Former Internet D’Angelo Russell underwent knee surgical procedure and final performed on Feb. 8. Karl-Anthony Cities returned the subsequent sport after lacking 20 of Minnesota’s first 24 video games. The Wolves are twenty sixth in offensive score (106.9), twenty seventh in defensive score (114.7), and thirtieth in web score. Cities leads Minnesota with 23.8 factors and 10.4 assists per sport with 4.3 assists per sport. He’s capturing 49.1 % general and 40.0 % from 3-point vary.
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