The duo dominated the offensive tempo all night and limited Harden to a 3-for-17 performance, including 0-for-10 on 2-pointers, and 11 points. “Just taking the assignment,” Irving said of his defense on Harden. “And doing what I could to make it tough on him. Obviously, James is not always going to shoot like that. But I just wanted to make it tough, get in his airspace, commit to really being in the right positions often … taking the challenge. “That’s fun as a competitor. I always say I relish in those moments and I’m grateful I get a chance to go against other great players. And really go at them and they go at me.”