Harden dominates Bucks, Durant’s Warriors outshine Westbrook’s Thunder again
James Harden maintained MVP form in the Houston Rockets’ 111-92 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, while the Kevin Durant-led Golden State Warriors easily dispatched the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Harden scored 38 points with eight assists and six rebounds, as he continued to prove his move to point guard this season has been a success.
Durant won out in the second meeting with former Thunder team-mate Russell Westbrook by scoring a season-high 40 points with 12 rebounds in a 121-100 win.
Elsewhere, Philadelphia 76ers upstart Joel Embiid continued his dominance against the Toronto Raptors.
ANTETOKOUNMPO CAN’T MATCH HARDEN
Harden scored or assisted on 50 per cent of the Rockets’ points as Houston outscored Milwaukee 30-12 in the second quarter to blow the game open.
This came after the Bucks grabbed a five-point lead in the first quarter and looked like they would challenge a short-handed Rockets squad.
Eric Gordon provided support for Harden by scoring 25 points off the bench. He drained seven of 17 three-point attempts.
Antetokounmpo has been playing at an MVP level as well this season. That held true despite the loss, scoring 32 points with 11 rebounds and six assists.
WARRIORS TAKE ROUND TWO
Oklahoma City hung with two-time defending Western Conference champions Golden State until the third quarter, when the Warriors pulled away.
Westbrook got his 21st triple-double of the season with 27 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists, but he also committed 10 turnovers. The Thunder star is now 1-4 this season against former running mates Harden and Durant.
Durant’s 40 points came on an efficient 13-of-16 shooting from the floor. It was the 18th time he has scored at least 40 points with 10 rebounds in his career, second behind LeBron James among active players.
WIZARDS KEEP WINNING
John Wall scored 25 points while dishing out 13 assists in a 104-101 Washington Wizards win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Wall has led Washington to wins in six of their last seven games.
CURRY GETS NO LOVE
Steph! pic.twitter.com/OAfKMloc6R
— NBA (@NBA) January 19, 2017
Derrick Rose goes for 30 points and 10 rebounds! @nyknicks beat @celtics , 117-106.
Thomas goes for 39 PTS. pic.twitter.com/QYwIw0qfjR
— NBA (@NBA) January 19, 2017
NO STOPPING EMBIID
Embiid went for 26 points with nine rebounds in a 94-89 win for the 76ers over the Raptors.
The Charlotte Hornets thrashed the Portland Trail Blazers 107-85, the New York Knicks overcame the Boston Celtics 117-106, the Detroit Pistons easily beat the Atlanta Hawks 118-95, the New Orleans Pelicans cruised past the Orlando Magic 118-98 and the Indiana Pacers rallied past the Sacramento Kings 106-100.
KNICKS EYE REDEMPTION
The drama-bound New York Knicks (19-24) seek to right a dreadful January as they host the Washington Wizards (22-19) in Thursday’s top game.
