NBA Friday: Spurs demolish Clippers; Rockets, Wizards up 3-0

Harden putting up ridiculous numbers is almost routine at this point. After all, we are talking about the regular season’s second-best scorer behind only Russell Westbrook. What’s still shocking to see is how efficient he can be despite everyone knowing his tendencies and the fact that he will be the Rockets’ primary ball-handler and scorer in almost every game. It took him just 24 shots to get his 42 points in Game 3, only three of which (all three-pointers) were assisted.

If we account for three-pointers and and-1s on his assists, Harden was responsible for 63 of the Rockets’ 130 points and did it while having the entire attention of the Mavericks’ defense on him. Of note, considering his reputation: he took only seven free throws. Those who were waiting for Harden to struggle when the whistles became harder to come by in the postseason only need to watch this game to see their concerns assuaged. It was as dominant an offensive performance as we’ve seen in a while.

Now up 2-1 in the series, they’ll have a chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead if they can beat the Clippers again on Sunday in San Antonio. Leonard ended the night with 32 points on 13-of-18 shooting with four rebounds and two blocks.

At halftime, It seemed as if the Clippers were going to make it a game -- they trailed by only eight despite poor shooting. But the Spurs weren’t great in the first half, either. They were getting good looks against a lackluster Clippers defense, but they missed quite a few open shots. They started to fall in the second half. Once Leonard caught fire, the rest of the Spurs did, too.

What else can we say? Wall may have gone just 5-of-15 from the field, but he controlled the entire game, allowing for the rest of the Wizards to score the points. Even the 15 assists underplays the way he orchestrated Washington’s attack. The Raptors couldn’t stop him with their pick and roll coverages.

Combine that with his speed and athleticism, and the Raptors had no answer. Look at this pass.

After the Rockets jumped out to a high-scoring first quarter lead of 42-36, the Mavericks stormed ahead in the second to take a 72-65 lead. And neither team slowed down -- the Rockets led, 101-99, after three quarters.

That should have sealed it, but a foul on a Nowitzki three with 34 seconds left made things interesting. He hit all three free throws but Harden hit a jump shot -- one that bounced around for a while -- with 18 seconds left to give the Rockets a three-point lead.

This is the premier series of the first round -- the only one knotted up at 1-1, the only one with two title contenders and the only one seemingly destined to go seven games as both teams trade blows back and forth.

Here’s how to watch Friday:

In Game 2, the big free agent acquisition from last offseason poured in 28 points and added 12 rebounds in 33 minutes of action. After struggling with nagging injuries for much of the regular season, he looks rested and ready to be one of the key components of a strong Western Conference contender.

Here’s how to watch: