HOUSTON -- James Harden's first bucket of the game gave his Houston Rockets teammates a feeling that this would be a spectacular performance for the reigning MVP.
After a couple of jab steps, Harden blew by Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball, sliced down the lane and threw down a vicious, lefty tomahawk over center JaVale McGee. Harden, who usually plays it cool by pretending to have a nosebleed after dunks, flexed with both arms and snarled.
"I was like, 'Wow!'" Rockets center Clint Capela said. "I've never seen James like that, especially flexing after a dunk.