Watch Kawhi Leonard hit clutch 3, emphatically block James Harden to get win over Rockets
Kawhi Leonard made his case for MVP on Monday night. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year authored as clutch of a sequence on both ends of the floor as you’ll see in lifting the San Antonio Spurs to a thrilling 112-110 win over the Houston Rockets.
With the Rockets clinging to a one-point lead late in the fourth quarter, Leonard calmly dribbled left coming off a screen set by LaMarcus Aldridge then hit a three over the outstretched arm of Nene to give the Spurs a two-point edge with 25.6 seconds left.
The Rockets inbounded the ball to MVP candidate James Harden, who dribbled left and got around Leonard after he was screened. David Lee stepped up to contest Harden as he drove hard to the rim, but as Harden left his feet for the layup Leonard came from behind and pinned the shot off the glass.
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Even Manu Ginobili, who has had more than his fair share of thrilling moments during his career, couldn't believe it while Harden said after the game he was fouled.
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Leonard, who outscored Harden 17-4 in the fourth quarter, corralled the rebound and hit the eventual clinching free throws, putting the finishing touches on another spectacular game. The 25-year-old finished with 39 points, hitting 12 of 18 from the field and 4 of 5 from deep, to go along with his six rebounds and five assists. It was Leonard’s fourth consecutive 30-plus point game, putting him firmly in the MVP conversation with Harden, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.
