NBA playoffs 2019: James Harden sees Rockets peaking, 'We're almost there'

The Rockets lead the Jazz, 2-0, and James Harden is optimistic that his team is peaking at just the right time.

Published : Apr 18, 2019 19:08 IST

James Harden believes Rockets has shown in consecutive big wins over the Jazz that it is "almost" peaking in the playoffs.

Rockets leads its first-round series, 2-0, winning 122-90 in Game 1 and 118-98 in Wednesday's Game 2.

Harden has been particularly encouraged by Houston's defensive efforts in those two games and wants to see the team maintain its performance as it makes a run toward the NBA Finals.

"We're almost there," he told reporters. "Holding a good team, the Jazz, to under 100 points two games in a row.

"The series starts now. We have to go on the road and have the same energy — especially on the defensive end. The offense, I'm not worried about. We've been a great offensive team all year, but defensively, we're locked in.

"When I talk about 'where we want to be,' that's because of our defense. If we guard like that and get into their bodies and rebound the basketball and push the tempo in transition, it's pretty hard to beat us."

Harden is in the MVP running, alongside the Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, and he was typically influential against the Jazz in Game 2, scoring a 32-point triple-double.

The now standard "M-V-P!" chants from the home crowd roared Harden on, yet he insists that he needs no motivation to perform.

"There's nothing that anybody can say to get me going — I'm already going," he said. "I've been going like this for the last five years.

"Those chants are just pretty normal. I focus on the game and what I need to do and being the best player on the court every night."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment