James Harden is leading the league in scoring again. Kawhi Leonard is the reigning NBA Finals MVP.
There were undercurrents in this game, though.
Rockets guard Austin Rivers was going against his father, Clippers head Doc Rivers, whom he also played for in Los Angeles.
Patrick Beverley, who spent four years with the Rockets, was playing against some of his old teammates.
The Rockets also now employ Russell Westbrook, Beverley’s arch nemesis. It stems from Beverley running into Westbrook’s knee during the 2013 playoffs, when Beverley was a Rocket and Westbrook played for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Beverley has since built a reputation as one of the toughest defenders in the NBA.
Westbrook, and this may shock you, is not convinced.
“Pat Bev trick y’all, man. Like he play defense,” Westbrook said. “He don’t guard nobody, man. He’s just running around, doing nothing. As you see what happened, (47 points for James Harden).
Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni said he respects Beverley and called him one of his favorite players, even though he’s an irritant.
“He’s great. I don’t like him because he can tick you off,” D’Antoni laughed. “But I only respect him. He’s earned every cent they give him and I love him. He plays hard. …
“Patrick’s one of my favorite players, without a doubt. He’s all in it for the right reasons.”