Houston’s point guard James Harden continued his high-scoring form on Wednesday, leading the Rockets past the Milwaukee Bucks in one of nine NBA games.
Rockets strike Bucks
James Harden’s 38 points, six rebounds and eight assists helped the Houston Rockets beat the Milwaukee Bucks 111-92. Eric Gordon had 25 points and four rebounds, while Patrick Beverley and Montrezl Harrell combined for 24 with 12 points apiece. center Clint Capela finished with five points and two rebounds.
Greek-Nigerian forward Giannis Antetokounmpo had a 32-point, 11-rebound double-double, Jabari Parker had 15 points and seven rebounds, Michael Beasley had 14 points and eight rebounds and South Sudanese center Thon Maker had three points and two rebounds.
Another great performance by our African Player of the Week, Cameroonian rookie sensation Joel Embiid, was key to the Philadelphia 76ers beating the Toronto Raptors 94-89. He had 26 points and nine rebounds, Ersan Ilyasova had 18 points and five rebounds, and TJ McConnell finished with 10 points, five rebounds and eight assists.
The Raptors were led by DeMar DeRozan with 25 points and six assists, Kyle Lowry had 24 points, four rebounds, four assists and five steals, Jonas Valanciunas had a 10-point, 16-rebound double-double, while Cameroonian rookie Pascal Siakam had two points, one rebound and a block.
Hornets sting Blazers
The Charlotte Hornets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 107-85 on the back of Kemba Walker’s 23 points and five assists, French-Cameroonian Nicolas Batum had 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and Marco Belinelli finished with 13 points and five rebounds.
Damian Lillard led Portland with 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists, CJ McCollum had 18 points and four steals, Mason Plumlee had eight points and 10 rebounds, Nigerian forward Al-Farouq Aminu had seven points and seven rebounds, while Liberian-American forward Noah Vonleh had four points and seven rebounds
Pistons cage Hawks.
Reggie Jackson’s 26 points, five rebounds and four assists helped the Detroit Pistons beat the Atlanta Hawks 118-95. Reggie Bullock had 15 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Andre Drummond had a 13-point, 17-rebound double-double.
The Hawks were led by Paul Millsap with 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists, German-Gambian guard Dennis Schroder and Kris Humphries combined for 26 with 13 points apiece, while Kent Bazemore, Tim Hardaway Jr and Taurean Prince combined for 30 with 10 points apiece.
Pelicans peck the Magic
The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Orlando Magic 118-98 on the back of Anthony Davis’ 21-point, 14-rebound double-double, Tyreke Evans had 18 points, four rebounds and five assists, Langston Galloway had 18 points, while Jrue Holiday had 14 points, five assists and five steals.
Aaron Gordon led the Magic with 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists, Elfrid Payton had 14 points, Congolese forward Serge Ibaka had 11 points, seven rebounds and five blocks, while DRC-born center Bismack Biyombo finished with four points and seven rebounds.
The rest
In other Wednesday night games, the Washington Wizards beat the Memphis Grizzlies 104-101 on the back of John Wall’s 25-point, 13-assist double-double, the New York Knicks beat the Boston Celtics 117-106 on Derrick Rose’s second-career 30-point, 10-rebound and five-assist game, Paul George’s 24 points helped the Indiana Pacers beat the Sacramento Kings 106-100 and Kevin Durant’s 40-point, 12-rebound double-double led the Golden State Warriors past the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-100.
By Kaunda Chama
