HOUSTON -- James Harden splashed 3-pointer No. 3 in the second quarter, then turned to Torrey Craig and told him what the rest of the Denver Nuggets would soon find out Monday in a 125-113 loss to the Houston Rockets.
"You can't guard me," he said.
It wasn't for lack of trying. Denver attacked Harden early with traps and double teams on nearly every possession, resulting in the point guard putting up only one shot in the opening quarter. But instead of forcing matters, the NBA's reigning MVP relied on the supporting cast to notch his third consecutive points (32) and assists (14) double-double, as Clint Capela scored a career-high 31 points and PJ Tucker contributed a career-high seven 3-pointers for his 21 points.