James Harden

SG, Houston Rockets

James Harden put the Rockets over the top on Sunday with 44 points on 15-of-26 from the floor in a 104-101 Game 1 victory.

Harden added four rebounds, eight assists, two steals and seven 3-pointers. The Rockets got lackluster performances from everyone not named James or Clint, but The Beard was simply too good for Minnesota to overcome tonight. The Wolves had no answer for much of the night and Harden was able to drag his teammates across the finish line. The Wolves dropped a surprisingly winnable Game 1 and could be in tough if even one or two extra Rockets can help ease the burden on Harden in Game 2. Even if that doesn't happen, the likely MVP seems ready to do the heavy lifting anyway.