On March 19, the NBA regular season ended a focus battle, with the Philadelphia 76ers beating the Lone Rangers at home to end a three-game winning streak. In this game, Harden played nearly 42 minutes, shooting 6 of 14, including 3 of 8 three-pointers, 9 of 10 free throws, cut down 24 points, 7 rebounds, 13 assists, 2 steals and 1 block of the comprehensive data, facing the last game to kill the Nets' Dinwiddie, Harden can be said to have won the complete victory, he broke out in the last quarter, leading the team to victory.
Harden made a mistake in passing the ball in the first quarter and was snatched by Dinwiddie. Harden broke through head-on and sent the bottom line to follow up with Abel's dunk. Before being replaced, Harden did not shoot. After a short break, Harden returned, assisting Danny Green on a three-pointer. Harden faced Doncic's defense and threw a throw that unfortunately missed. Harden took a shot that caused Nilikina to foul, and he hit both free throws. Harden had few chances to shoot in the first quarter, and more of a pass and fit for his opponents.
In the second quarter, Harden hit a throw after driving Dinwiddie. Harden took advantage of the counter-attack to break through, and he caused Kleber to foul and hit both free throws. Harden broke through strongly, changing the penalty area to a left-handed layup. Harden changed to Toyosh Green, but unfortunately made a mistake in the split. Harden and Embiid connected, who picked a basket and scored. Then came harden and Embiid, who slammed his hands together. Harden hit the ground to pass the ball, Embiid hit a three-pointer, and at the end of the first half, the 76ers led by five points, and Harden had 11 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
In the third quarter, Harden assisted Embiid again to hit a three-pointer, but he himself shot consecutively on the outside and has not yet found the feel. Facing Smith's defense, Harden broke through to create a foul, still two free throws. Harden's three-pointer opportunity still doesn't make a shot. Harden was heavily wrapped up, but he assisted Inon with a pass to hit a three-pointer. Subsequently, Harden did the same, assisting Sable's outside shot, and the 76ers gradually opened the score gap. Harden assisted Jordan Jr. with a dunk that gave the 76ers a double-digit lead. Although the score is not much, Harden's pass is still in place.
In the fourth quarter, Harden followed Jordan Jr. with the ball in the back of his head, who slammed the buckle. Harden scored on a jumper, followed by a three-pointer that met Dinwiddie and stepped in. Harden fouled Dinwiddie's layup and he hit both free throws. Harden then hit a three-pointer while assisting Niang's outside shot, and the 76ers directly widened the score gap with a wave. Harden again fouled Dinwiddie, making him one of two free throws. Harden assisted Embiid's throw in consecutive assists. In the end, the 76ers defeated the Lone Ranger to achieve two consecutive wins.
It can be seen that in recent games, Harden's three-point shooting rate has declined, and the last game against the Cavaliers was only 6 of 1, and the outside shot against the Lone Ranger was not efficient. Of course, this also has something to do with Harden being focused on defense by opponents, but at the critical moment of the final quarter, Harden's performance is still outstanding, assists, three-pointers and fouls, highlighting Harden's strength, and the cooperation with teammates Embiid, Niang and Sable is also becoming more and more tacit.