Russell Westbrook and James Harden are battling it out at the top of the MVP race this year. But the second tier of that race — spots three through five on your ballot — has to include Kawhi Leonard, who is having a career year.
Tuesday night Westbrook and Leonard went head-to-head and put on a show.
Westbrook finished the game with 27 points on 17 shots, but he did not get a triple double (he has never had a triple-double against the Spurs in 46 games). However, Westbrook was 0-of-4 in the fourth quarter with Leonard dogging him, while Leonard himself had a quick 12 points in the quarter (36 for the game) to help seal the Spurs win.