NBA schedule and results: James Harden, Rockets outlast LeBron James and the Cavs

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That greatness was undone by a horrid performance at the free throw line, where James finished just 3-of-11. His struggles throughout the game at the charity stripe culminated with a missed pair in overtime when the Cavaliers were trailing, 104-103, with 4.2 seconds left.

All LeBron needed to do was hit one of the free throws to at least force Houston into trying a game-winner, but he couldn’t shake the issues that had plagued him all day. Afterwards, the four-time MVP explained his misses in a way nobody really understands:

This is how you know LeBron James is taking that whole “missed two free throws and lost the game” thing a little too hard. It’s good to internalize defeat as an athlete, but King James just retreated to his bedroom for a little one-on-one time with his mirror.

Maybe he’s staring into it like Maleficent, maybe he’s just doing a little soul searching. At least he sounds motivated:

Did LeBron abdicate the throne, or was this a case of regicide? These are important questions you haven’t answered, Rockets. Probably regicide given there was a contest involved, but what’s the new king’s plan for the lands? The people need grain!

Good work Chris. We didn’t know you had it in you.

h/t CBS Sports

Yes, that’s “trick it off,” a phrase very few people understand -- especially in relation to this situation. Urban Dictionary tells us what “tricking off” means, but it’s hard to see how it’s applicable here. It’s a struggle the rest of the world had, too.

What does “trick it off” mean to you?

It was a stunning late-game failure from a guy who has shot 74 percent from the line in his career. LeBron has been haunted his entire career by people claiming he isn’t “clutch,” and this game will be a part of their argument for years to come.

Harden hit a free throw at the other end to give the Rockets a two-point lead and intentionally missed the second. The Cavs had an opportunity to score with 0.3 seconds left, but couldn’t get a shot off.

The Cavaliers were down by one point, LeBron James was at the line. Normally this would be an easy outcome to predict -- but not so on Sunday afternoon. He missed not one, but TWO free throws in a row to lose the game for the Cavaliers in overtime.

It was a stunningly bad day for LeBron from the stripe. He shot a total of 3-of-11, and this pair was the difference maker.

You could call James Harden for a foul for hooking LeBron James. Or James for a foul for the contact on Harden. Either way it seems like something should have been called here. Even Kevin Love thought so as he stood watching until he realized the play wasn’t dead.

The NBA’s official grade report for the last two minutes and overtime -- remember, these are public now -- says the referees missed two calls: an offensive foul on Harden and a foul on James. “As Harden (HOU) starts his drive to the basket, he clamps the arm of James (CLE) and an offensive foul should have been called,” it reads. “After the initial hook by Harden (HOU), James (CLE) fouls by pulling him. The foul causes Harden to lose his pivot foot.

This isn’t the best move we’ve seen all week (that belongs to Stephen Curry), but seeing LeBron swat the air isn’t something we’re accustomed to. This Harden vs. LeBron game is everything we hoped for. Moves like this, kicks to the groin -- it’s fun to watch.

James Harden did this after drilling a three against the Cavs:

This isn’t the first time he did it -- he also busted it out Friday night:

Fear the beard! Also fear the beard’s foot, which might find its way into your crotch.

James Harden was called for a flagrant foul, while LeBron has been in a wrestling match AND kicked in the junk in the third quarter. He also missed both free throws after being kicked in the junk. Poor guy.

LeBron ended up on top of Patrick Beverley after a drive to the rim ... and then things got a bit scrappy:

Beverley tried to get up, but LeBron wouldn’t let him, holding him down with his arm. The two guys seemed to be aggravated at each other, but teammates came over to make sure nothing got out of hand. This earned the two players a double technical.

It looks silly, but this isn’t Joey’s fault -- his fellow ref noticed something was up, with a substitution or the time on the clock or whatever, and realized the refs needed to convene, and it was Crawford’s responsibility to make sure Nikola Mirotic didn’t take this free throw. A few years back, ref Courtney Kirkland literally blocked Kris Humphries in this exact same scenario.

That said, we totally understand Mirotic’s look of utter confusion. And we can make fun of Crawford’s prancey leap of choice. No idea what’s going on there.

Harden was in the NBA’s first ever All-Star fashion show ... he didn’t win.

DeAndre Jordan’s free throw struggles have been a major talking point this season: He’s shooting a dismal 41 percent from the line, but he’s so good at everything else -- shooting 72 percent from the field, averaging 14.2 rebounds per game -- that he’s too valuable to take off the court, even as teams resort to the Hack-A-Jordan.

Before today’s game against the Bulls, cameras caught Jordan practicing his free throws... by banking them off the glass:

But this win means little if Washington can’t carry the play into March. The huge second half collapse just won’t do for this team. The losing streak is over, but the concerns are definitely still there for the Wizards as they move into the season’s final act.

Today in Walt Frazier: this yellow-and-white topographic-map-esque jacket.