James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo only face each other twice a year - not counting the All-Star Game - but that hasn't stopped the bloom of a beautiful rivalry.
Harden, who gets ridiculed for his lack of defense despite being one of the game's best post defenders, shut down the NBA's reigning MVP on two key possessions in the Rockets' 120-116 win over the Bucks on Sunday night.
After stripping Antetokounmpo with less than two minutes remaining, Harden went to work again on the Bucks big man as Antetokounmpo drove to the basket. Harden stayed in front, forcing Antetokounmpo to leave his feet and make a bad decision, attempting a pass to the corner that the Rockets' Danuel House Jr.