HOUSTON -- James Harden sat on the bench, waiting for his time to check back in and stick a knife into the Oklahoma City Thunder 's playoff hopes. With 9:14 left he got off the bench and jogged his way to check back in right as Alex Abrines finished an and-1 to put the Thunder up four. The Houston Rockets called timeout, and Harden was back in. First possession, a vicious trademark step-back 3 over Paul George.
The feeling in the arena was tangible, the kind of feeling that has defined this Rockets season and effectively signed, sealed and delivered the MVP for Harden.