Good morning. Let’s basketball.
Good morning. James Harden cooked this just for you.
That and more in Tuesday’s NBA newsletter.
STEP INTO MY OFFICE: James Harden had another magnificent game for the Rockets, his third in four matches in the West finals. This one finally paid off with a win as Houston avoided a sweep with a 128-115 victory. Harden is averaging 32 points per game on .662 True Shooting against the best defense in the league in the series. Damn, man. He even got his Steph on and hit a 3/4-court shot.
The Rockets are 4-0 when facing elimination this season.
There were flood warnings all over Texas, so many fans were told to stay inside Toyota Center long after the game ended. Dwight Howard was stuck there, too.
HOLD YOUR BREATH: Stephen Curry scared the basketball Jesus out of everyone when he landed on his head and shoulders after a botched transition block attempt. (Here’s the Vine of the fall.) He returned to the game after passing the concussion protocol in the locker room. Curry missed his first three shots once back in, but then had a really strong fourth. Whew.
WELPVILLE: Dwight Howard swung his forearm up in Andrew Bogut’s grill. He was assessed a Flagrant 1. It should’ve been a Flagrant 2. It was twice as bad as Al Horford’s swing on Sunday. The thing is if the NBA upgrades the call, per John Schuhmann, Howard will miss Game 5 due to accrual of three flagrant points in the playoffs, which means an automatic suspension. (Flagrant 1s are worth one point each, and Flagrant 2s are worth two. Howard already had one flagrant point.)
So, here’s the pickle: Howard really ought to have been assessed a Flagrant 2, and now ought to miss Game 5. Another elimination game for Houston. A big one. Does the NBA want that controversy on its doorstep when, in all likelihood, the Warriors will win anyway? My thought is that by setting rules and sticking to them even when they are inconvenient you strengthen your credibility.
SOMEWHERE, TIM DUNCAN GIGGLES: Joey Crawford tripped and fell. A lot of NBA players are watching that one loop over and over.
BRING IT HOME: Jeff Van Gundy claims he makes it rain.
HAWKS AT CAVALIERS GAME 4, 8:30 PM ET, TNT, CLEVELAND UP 3-0
ON CHEF STATUS AND THE CURSE: Marcus Thompson wrote a column that explains the Lil B curse on James Harden to norms. The piece refers to JT The Bigga Figga as an urban philosopher. I did not know that M.T. partied like that.
Happy Tuesday. See you next time.
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