James Harden recorded a double-double and steered the makeshift Houston Rockets to a 115-102 win over the Miami Heat on Tuesday night at Toyota Center.
Harden finished with game highs in points (26) and assists (14) while carrying the Rockets (26-25) to victory. Houston snapped a three-game skid despite the absence of centers Dwight Howard (suspension) and Clint Capela (thigh).
Raptors 104, Suns 97
Toronto guard Kyle Lowry scored 26 points and DeMar DeRozan had 22 as the Raptors spoiled Phoenix interim coach Earl Watson’s debut in a 104-97 victory over the Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
Reserve guard Terrence Ross had 16 points and 7-foot center Jonas Valanciunas had 14 for the Raptors (33-16), who have won 12 of their last 13.
Celtics 97, Knicks 89
Isaiah Thomas scored 20 points and distributed eight assists, but it was the contribution of Boston’s bench that was the difference in the Celtics’ 97-89 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Reserve center Tyler Zeller posted a season-high 16 points and 10 rebounds, backup shooting guard Evan Turner contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds and center Kelly Olynyk added 13 points.
The Boston (28-22) bench outscored New York’s reserves 47-27.
Trail Blazers 107, Bucks 95
CJ McCollum scored 30 points and Damian Lillard added 14 and 12 assists as the Portland Trail Blazers stayed hot with a 107-95 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at the Moda Center.
Al-Farouq Aminu chipped in 16 points for the Trail Blazers (24-26), who are 9-2 in their last 11 games.
Lakers 119, Timberwolves 115
Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 38 points, and the Los Angeles Lakers ended a 10-game skid with a 119-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Staples Center.
Six foul shots by Bryant, who scored 14 of the last 18 points for Los Angeles, in the final 17 seconds sealed the win for the Lakers (10-41), who avoided setting a franchise mark for consecutive losses.
They tied the 1993-94 Lakers, who lost their final 10 games of the season under coach Earvin “Magic” Johnson, in a 101-82 defeat by the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
© Reuters
