James Harden Hit One of the Craziest Shots You'll See This Year

Houston's James Harden managed to hit a layup that banked in off the shot clock.

ames Harden
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BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 28: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets looks to the Houston Rockets bench for a call during the second half of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 28, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)

ames Harden

The Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics squared off Thursday night in a matchup between two of the best teams in the NBA. The Celtics currently sit at the top of the Eastern Conference, while the Rockets are in second in the West.

The Celtics pulled out the win, 99-98, as veteran forward Al Horford posted up and hit a hook shot in the final seconds.

Al Horford with the game-winner! #NBAVote pic.twitter.com/skld8MZcva

It was a deflating loss for the Rockets—especially considering they led by 26 at one point—but there was a small consolation prize: James Harden went to the bucket on Kyrie Irving, drew a foul, and scored one of the most amazing shots you'll see this year. Harden banked in a layup off of the shot clock.

James Harden with the greatest AND 1 that doesnt count in NBA history pic.twitter.com/Ru6jouqNMR

The shot didn't count, of course—the shot clock is out of play. Still, what an incredible bucket.

Harden had a tough ending to the game. The Celtics clinched the win with defensive stopper Marcus Smart drawing back-to-back offensive fouls on the MVP candidate.

lol james harden committing two offensive fouls in a row to lose the game for the rockets after they were up 26 lol merry christmas to me
FINALLY: James Harden, who gets more calls than a 1-800 number, finally got called for two late offensive fouls that allowed the Celtics to finish an incredible comeback in which they won the second half 61-36. JUSTICE.

Harden finished with 34 points, 10 assists and six rebounds.

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