Two days later, the Pelicans and Rockets opened their series at New Orleans Arena.
The Pelicans pressed the Rockets from the opening tip and held a double-digit lead by halftime.
But Harden erupted in the second half, helping the Rockets tie the score with two minutes left in the game.
In the closing moments, Durant scored consecutively to help the Pelicans narrowly escape with a 104-101 victory, taking the first game of the series.
They had won, but the fans were not particularly excited on social media afterward. Some were even worried.
After all, in a series—or rather, in the Playoffs Opening Game—the Pelicans were playing at home and had the highest morale, yet they had won by only three points.
After two days of rest, the second game of the series was played at New Orleans Arena.
The fans' worries became reality. The Rockets came out fired up and battled the Pelicans evenly from the start.
The score seesawed all the way to the end of the game. This time, Harden hit a crucial step-back three-pointer to help the Rockets defeat the Pelicans 112-108.
The 1-1 series score meant that the Rockets had stolen Home Court Advantage from the Pelicans.
At the postgame press conference, D'Antoni and Harden could not hide the joy on their faces.
This was the first time they had held the initiative in a game against the Pelicans.
"What do you think was the key to tonight's victory?"
A reporter asked Harden.
"We gave it everything from the very beginning. We knew that if the score stayed close until the end, we would get our chance. And yes, the facts proved that we did."
Harden nodded as he spoke.
"You're the seventh seed in the West, yet you've tied the second-seeded Pelicans 1-1. What does