James Harden not expecting to top 30 points in All-Star Game
Monday 18 February 2019 04:21, UK
James Harden, who has scored 30-plus-points in 31 successive regular season games, does not expect such a productive night in the All-Star Game.
Live NBA All-Star Game
Harden's 31-game scoring streak has been one of the biggest storylines of the regular season so far and has propelled the Houston Rockets guard back to the forefront of the MVP conversation.
However, Harden - who was named Most Valuable Player for the 2017/18 season - does not expect to be racking up 30 points in the All-Star Game and feigned concern that his showpiece game could see the end of his famous scoring run.
"Does it count? I hope it doesn't count! I'm on a minutes restriction!" he joked.
"Nah, I just want to win, that's all that matters. We'll have a good time and put on a show for these fans and get a win."
Harden, who is averaging 36.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game for the season, admitted the thought of winning back-to-back MVP awards is a motivation.
"It's been that way for the last four or five years," he said. "That's when you know you are at that elite level where you are in that [MVP] conversation. I want to be there until I can't play any more."
With the pressure of guiding the Rockets to the playoffs on hold until the Rockets resume their season on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers in the early hours of Friday morning, live on Sky Sports, Harden is aiming to relax over All-Star Weekend.
"It's fun," he said. "In season, you're locked in and you're so competitive so to be around all these guys is like a little relief, just for the weekend."
