Thunder-Mavericks: Dear James Harden, James Terry wants to be close to you

James Harden twice went between the legs then dribbled behind his back before popping this jumper in Jason Terry’s face to put the Thunder up 10 with 3:15 to play. If there was a dagger in the Thunder’s 106-100 victory over Dallas in Game 3, this was it.

Harden, who celebrated by making crazy faces that would make Jerry Lewis jealous, seemed to do as he wished throughout his 23-point, 7-rebound, 4-assist performance. But Jason Terry vowed that Game 3 Saturday in Oklahoma City will be different.

“I just think we’re not as aggressive as we’ve been in the other series,” Terry said. “If you’ve watched us defensively, we’re up and in guys. That’s what got us where we’re at. These guys have got a lot of space.

“I know for me particularly, watching the film at halftime, I’m so far off this guy that he’s got room to do whatever he wants. I know I’m going to make the adjustment. I don’t know what everybody else is going to do, but I’m pretty sure what they’re going to do and we’re going to be up a little closer.”

– Mike Sherman, Sports Editor