NBA 2018-19: 3 Talking Points from Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers

#2 Great defense on James Harden

Bullock played solid defense on James Harden

James Harden again dropped 30 points. But this was a very quiet 30 points by his standards and he was left frustrated with some great defense played on him by Bullock and Brandon Ingram.

Harden scored 30 points on 11-24 shooting from the field and only 2-10 from the 3PT line. He was only allowed to go to the charity stripe on 7 occasions which is way below his season average. Harden also had 8 turnovers to his name and had two costly offensive fouls in the final minutes which led to him getting fouled out.

This match was totally different when compared to the last two matches between the two teams. Harden torched the Lakers in both those matches and got his team the victory. But the Lakers were much more active and engaged on defense, bothering Harden throughout this match.