"Fear the Beard" was in full effect Friday as the Rockets completed a wire-to-wire win over the Mavericks in Dallas. Rockets guard James Harden struggled mightily in the playoffs a year ago, but he has been one of the top performers this year.
The playoffs have largely been lopsided. This is the first time under the current postseason format (since 2003) that five teams have a 3-0 series lead in the first round. Most of the intrigue heading into the night centered on the Clippers-Spurs game. Both teams had shown the form necessary to make a deep run, but the veteran Spurs dismantled the high-flying Clippers and went ahead 2-1 in the series.
A deeper look into Friday's games:
MVP candidate Harden sliced through the feeble Dallas defense with ease, draining shots all over the court. This was a game the Mavericks needed to win if they were going to get back in the series. Now, they will just be looking to not get swept on their home court.
Harden scored a playoff-high 42 points on 15-of-24 shooting and dished out nine assists. He was tremendous off the dribble, hitting step-backs and driving to the lane. Harden also showed leadership in breaking up a potential altercation between Dwight Howard and Tyson Chandler.
Howard was a beast in the paint. He tied a career best with 26 rebounds, 11 on the offensive end. He also scored 13 points and held Chandler to eight points.
Nowitzki missed his first three 3-point attempts but finished with 34 points on 10-of-19 shooting.
The enigmatic Ellis was at his best Friday night, with 34 points (15 for 25 from the floor) and nine assists.
Mavs backup guard J.J. Barea ignited the home crowd in the first half:
Barea with the FEARLESS take to the basket to equalize the contest!
— NBA (@NBA) Trevor Ariza elevated over two defenders to throw down this dunk:
Ariza RISES to the occasion on !
— NBA (@NBA) Corey Brewer had a message for the crowd after a nifty move in the paint:
Corey Brewer two-steps to the bucket with flair on !
— NBA (@NBA) Howard took a rebounding break to finish this slam:
D12 CRUSHES home the assist from J-Smoove on !
— NBA (@NBA) Sunday at Dallas, 9 p.m. ET. The Rockets will look to wrap up this one-sided series. If Howard can again control the paint, Dallas fans will have to watch their team get swept at home.
The Wizards made a surprise playoff run last year, and they look to be in similar form this year. Coming in as an underdog, fifth-seeded Washington has taken control of this series with strong defense and a point guard who knows how to cut through opposing defenders. John Wall (19 points, 15 assists) set the tone Friday for a balanced offense that had six players score in double figures. This is the first time in franchise history the Wizards have led a series 3-0.
Gortat had a double-double with 24 points (on 11-for-15 shooting) and 13 rebounds. The agile big man gives teams trouble with his versatility and willingness to do the dirty work.
Wall became the first player to have back-to-back 15-assist games in the playoffs since Steve Nash in 2010.
DeRozan scored a franchise-record 20 points in the first quarter and looked like he was going to run the Wizards out of the gym. Things slowed down from there, but he still finished with a game-high 32 points.
Johnson was nearly perfect from the field (6 for 7) in a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Terrance Ross maneuvered around the rim for an impressive slam:
Terrence Ross gets up quickly for the JAM for on ESPN 2!
— NBA (@NBA) Wizards forward Drew Gooden was on fire in the first half:
Before making three in the first half tonight, Drew Gooden had made one 3-pointer in 56 career playoff games.
— Kevin Pelton (@kpelton) John Wall splits two defenders and lays it in:
John Wall, spin-cycle, Part II on ESPN2!
— NBA (@NBA) Sunday at Washington, 6:30 p.m. ET.Washington is at home and smells blood against the higher-seeded Raptors. Wall and company have been business-like through three games, and are playing with a swagger that could make them dangerous down the road.
Gregg Popovich again proved he's a master tactician with a stifling defensive game plan against the high-octane Clippers offense. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Co. need to find a way to respond against the defending champs.
Leonard was the best player on the floor Friday. He went 13 of 18 from the field en route to a career-high 32 points. His versatility makes him difficult to guard; he's a mismatch at four different positions.
The 6-8 Diaw has been a glue guy most of his career. He uses his big lower body to punish defenders. He scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds in a solid effort Friday.
No one really stood out for LA in Game 3, but Griffin did turn in a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Leonard utilizes his array of moves to get to the basket:
Kawhi shows off his arsenal of moves for the crafty finish on !
— NBA (@NBA) Griffin hits a last-second shot:
Blake beats the buzzer off the CP3 assist on !
— NBA (@NBA) Leonard came out of nowhere to complete this alley-oop:
Kawhi defies gravity for the acrobatic FLUSH!
— NBA (@NBA) Tim Duncan is choosing not to recognize his birthday:
Q: Tim, any birthday wishes for tomorrow? TD: If I could skip it and stay 38, that would be awesome.
— Courtside (@courtside) Sunday at San Antonio, 3:30 p.m. ET.The Spurs' defense was suffocating on Friday. The Clippers couldn't get to the basket and were cold from beyond the arc. Leonard and friends will look to put LA in a deeper hole in Game 4.
(All times Eastern)
Hawks at Nets 3 p.m., TNT
Bulls at Bucks 5:30 p.m., TNT
Warriors at Pelicans 8 p.m., ESPN
Grizzlies at Trail Blazers 10:30 p.m., ESPN
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