Rockets roll on as Harden makes history, Clippers extend run
The Houston Rockets improved their winning streak to nine NBA games thanks to James Harden, while the Los Angeles Clippers stayed hot.
Houston were too good for the New Orleans Pelicans in a 122-100 victory on Friday.
James Harden posted a triple-double as the guard and the Rockets made history.
The Clippers extended their streak to four after downing the Miami Heat 102-98.
Elsewhere, the Atlanta Hawks ended their skid, while the Chicago Bulls were woeful.
HOUSTON AND HARDEN REVEL IN LANDMARK NIGHT
The Rockets registered an NBA-record 24 three-pointers in their win over the Pelicans.
Houston attempted 31 in a half and 61 for the entire game.
Harden, meanwhile, had 29 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists to pass Hakeem Olajuwon as the Rockets’ all-time leader in triple-doubles (15).
CLIPPERS HOLD OFF HEAT
DeAndre Jordan made the game-clinching basket with 7.7 seconds remaining to extinguish Miami’s hopes of a win on home court.
Blake Griffin scored 20 points, and Chris Paul and J.J. Redick added 17 points apiece for the streaking Clippers.
A double-double from Heat star Goran Dragic (21 points, 11 assists) was not enough in Miami.
HAWKS GIVE FANS SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT
After four consecutive defeats, the Hawks returned to winning ways.
And Dwight Howard led the way with 27 points and 15 rebounds – his 17th double-double of the season – while Dennis Schroder scored 24 points to edge the Raptors.
DeMar DeRozan had 34 points for the Raptors in Toronto.
ROCKETS PRODUCE MASTERCLASS FROM BEYOND THE ARC
When you’re hot, you’re hot! @HoustonRockets make 24 3-pointers and now hold the record for most 3s in a game! #Rockets50 pic.twitter.com/of6ANJLw3R
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2016
Reggie Jackson with the alley-oop to Drummond! #DetroitBasketball pic.twitter.com/RIaF3nmJH3
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2016
BULLS HUMILIATED, MAGIC WIN AT HOME
The Bulls only scored 69 points in their second loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in as many nights, a 95-69 defeat. Chicago shot just 30.4 percent from the floor in the embarrassing 26-point loss.
The Orlando Magic ended a six-game losing streak at home thanks to their 118-111 victory against the Brooklyn Nets, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 100-89, the Sacramento Kings upstaged the Memphis Grizzlies 96-92, the Boston Celtics trumped the Charlotte Hornets 96-88, the Detroit Pistons lost 122-108 to the Washington Wizards, while the Dallas Mavericks suffered a 103-100 defeat to the Utah Jazz.
TRAIL BLAZERS HEAD TO OAKLAND
The Bay Area has not been kind to Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers. Over the past two seasons, Golden State have averaged a 16.8-point margin of victory at home against Portland, who have not won in Oakland since November 2013 ahead of Saturday’s showdown. Reigning champions the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Lakers.
