Rockets guard James Harden, who does not like to miss workout days between games at all, said Monday's shootaround was the first time he had touched a ball since he played through the neck pain against the Lakers last Thursday. Harden had run into a teammate setting a screen at practice, but did not seem to have suffered an injury, only to wake up with a greater neck strain each of the next two days.

"I wasn't really able to move my neck," Harden said. "It affected me, not just basketball, but day-to-day in life, walking around. It was frustrating. We got a big-time win. Things went well.

"It (the win against the Warriors) was beautiful, man, beautiful. Guys really got after it defensively, offensively looked great. Guys stepped up. I can name each and every guy stepped up offensively or defensively. Great to see."

"I feel better. Every day I've gotten better."