Jan 18, 2021; Nets shooting guard James Harden (13) and power forward Kevin Durant (7) high five during the fourth quarter against the Bucks at Barclays Center.  Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Giannis on James Harden, Kevin Durant: 'If you're not locked in against them, they're going to score 50'

James Harden and Kevin Durant have been a deadly duo since reuniting in Brooklyn, including combining for 64 points in the Nets' 125-123 win over the Milwaukee Bucks Monday night. Back-to-back MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo acknowledged the difficulty opponents face when trying to stop Harden and Durant, as scoring 30 points has become second-nature to the two elite scorers.

"This is what they do—they wake up, they come to the game and they score 30," Giannis Antetokounmpo said, via Joe Vardon of The Athletic. "If you're not locked in against them, they're going to score 50."

Harden was traded from the Houston Rockets to Brooklyn, and so far, the trade has looked like a huge win for the Nets, as Harden and Durant have had no problem co-existing on the basketball court. The two previously played together on the Oklahoma City Thunder, even reaching an NBA Finals in 2012. But the Thunder eventually traded Harden to the Rockets, where he became one of the best scorers in NBA history.

Rumors about the two reuniting in Brooklyn began to surface but some wondered if the two could still play together, as Harden was not nearly the player he is now when they were on the Thunder. But the two look like a match made in heaven and the scariest part is that the team might get even better once Kyrie Irving returns from his lengthy absence. If Irving, Harden and Durant are able to gel together, they could immediately become the favorite to win this year's NBA title.

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