The Houston Rockets were in a must-win situation when they faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA bubble in Orlando for Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Needless to say, everybody expected James Harden to step up and help his team tie the series.
Harden has a history of choking and underperforming when it matters the most. It's been like that since he made it to the NBA Finals in 2012 with the Oklahoma City Thunder and he just can't seem to shake his postseason woes.
The Rockets were undermanned as Danuel House was suspended for breaking the NBA's safety protocol, and that obviously was a major blow for Mike D'Antoni's team. Then again, it meant Harden had an even bigger load on his shoulders.
However, the Beard was a massive no-show in the first half with just 10 points and finished the game with 21 on 2/11 shooting and 1/6 from beyond the arc. He did have 10 assists, but also piled up 5 turnovers.
The Los Angeles Lakers dominated this game from the jump. They led for as much as 16 at the half and Harden continued to struggle with their pesky and suffocating double-teams. Obviously, the internet had a lot to say about his performance.
NBA Twitter blasts James Harden after Game 4 loss to the Lakers
The Rockets are now against the ropes. They were 100% committed to the small-ball and while it seemed like a great idea in the regular season, they lack the personnel to make the adjustments they need to match up with the Lakers.
PJ Tucker has done an outstanding job but you can only do so much when you're that undersized and guarding a player as talented as Anthony Davis. Tonight, he finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks.
Houston paid a lot (both in money and draft assets) to pair Russell Westbrook with Harden but that will definitely backfire if they fail - again - to go the distance. Harden's legacy is in the line now more than ever.
