Harden drops triple-double as Rockets top Clippers 140-116, Thomas scores 52
James Harden reaches his 10th triple-double of the year and 7th of the season as Rockets defeat Clippers, 140-116.
Kevin Durant had his first triple-double in Golden State Warriors colours as Isaiah Thomas and James Harden led the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets to victory.
Durant posted 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to help the Warriors past the Dallas Mavericks 108-99 in the NBA on Friday.
It was a career-high night for Thomas, who recorded 52 points in Boston’s thrilling 117-114 win over the Miami Heat.
The San Antonio Spurs also won, accounting for the Portland Trail Blazers 110-94.
HARDEN STARS AS ROCKETS SOAR
Harden became the first Rockets player with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and five steals in a single game since steals were recorded in 1973-74, by pouring in 30 points with 13 rebounds 10 assists and five steals against the Clippers.
DURANT ENDS DROUGHT
For all of his dominance, it had been a long time since Durant posted a triple-double.
You had to rewind more than a year, going back to December 10, 2015 for Durant’s most recent triple-double.
Friday’s haul was the eighth triple-double of his career.
Klay Thompson added 29 points for the Warriors, who claimed back-to-back wins.
THOMAS STEALS THE SHOW!
The Celtics guard, who played in his first All-Star game last season, became just the fifth player in Boston’s franchise history to score 50 points in a game, joining Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, Kevin McHale and Sam Jones.
It was an all-around spectacular performance from Thomas, but he saved his best for last, scoring a franchise-best 29 points in the fourth quarter. He needed just 26 shots to reach 52 points, and he drained nine three-pointers.
#KLAYUPS
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— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2016
What a great surprise! #HoopsForTroops pic.twitter.com/hxQnOT0lsW
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SPURS RALLY
San Antonio overcame a 13-point deficit in the first half to outlast the Trail Blazers.
Danny Green and Tony Parker had 18 points apiece in the absence of Kawhi Leonard.
SIXERS TRUMP NUGGETS, HAWKS WIN
The Philadelphia 76ers held on to beat the Denver Nuggets 124-122, the Atlanta Hawks topped the Detroit Pistons 105-98 and the New York Knicks lost 104-92 to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Elsewhere, the Minnesota Timberwolves were 116-99 winners over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Washington Wizards beat the Brooklyn Nets 118-95, while the Chicago Bulls went down 111-101 to the Indiana Pacers.
CAVS AND THUNDER IN ACTION
Reigning champions the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. Russell Westbrook’s Oklahoma City Thunder host the Clippers and the under-performing Bulls take on the Bucks, while the Rockets face the Knicks
