Paul George and Russell Westbrook elevating thin Oklahoma City Thunder roster

HOUSTON -- The first screen came, and like a waiter weaving through a crowded restaurant, Paul George thinly slid in front of it, keeping James Harden checked. It was narrative perfection, two MVP candidates squaring off with the game on the line, both with 40-point games running, a single stop or shot about to decide it.

"Absolutely I wanted that matchup," George said. "I wanted that matchup the whole night."

Eric Gordon re-screened right after, though, and George, fighting to crawl over it, got caught just enough to force the switch.

Ten seconds remained, and the Oklahoma City Thunder led by a point as Harden size up his new matchup, Russell Westbrook. It felt obvious what was coming; it was…