Harden erupts for 44 points, feels like MVP

WASHINGTON – James Harden delivered game highs of 44 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists Friday to power the Brooklyn Nets over Detroit, 113-111.

Harden missed Wednesday’s loss at Utah with neck soreness but returned with a vengeance at Detroit, hitting 14-of-30 from the floor, 4-of-11 3-pointers, and 12-of-14 free throws.

It was Harden’s highest-scoring performance since joining the Nets from Houston, helping Brooklyn improve to 31-15 and making a case for himself as the NBA Most Valuable Player.

“I feel like I am the MVP. It’s just that simple,” Harden said. “Let’s leave it at that.”

Harden scored 12 of Brooklyn’s 15 points in a key stretch that ended early in the fourth quarter and turned a one-point deficit into a 10-point Nets lead.

“I just try to go out there and give my teammates every single thing I can bring to the game,” Harden said. “I just take what the defense gives me, just play the game the right way and try to be efficient.”

With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving missing from the Nets’ lineup, Harden has raised his game. Also inspired was reserve Blake Griffin, who added 17 points in his return after leaving Detroit for the Nets.

Jeff Green sank a late 3-pointer and Joe Harris added a free throw with 5.3 seconds to hold off the Pistons.

In Los Angeles, Montrezl Harrell had 24 points and 10 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season as the Lakers rallied in the second half to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 100-86.

It’s the Lakers’ first win since LeBron James and Anthony Davis have both been sidelined. James has missed four games after spraining his right ankle on March 20 against Atlanta, and Davis hasn’t played since mid-February due to a right calf strain.

“I don’t think we felt tension. We were more disappointed about falling behind early,” said Harrell, who has three double-doubles in the last five games. “We have to play next man up. We can’t look forward to 2-3 weeks or whenever they come back. We’re not just looking to hold on or keep our head above water. We’re looking to get wins.”