Associated Press
Associated Press
HOUSTON — James Harden scored 33 points, and Chandler Parsons had a career-high 31 to help the Houston Rockets coast to a 131-103 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night.
Jeremy Lin added 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists for Houston in the first game against his former team.
The Rockets entered the third quarter up by 12, and scored 10 straight points later in the quarter to extend their lead to 21.
Carmelo Anthony scored a season-high 37 for New York, which dropped consecutive games for the first time this season.
GRIZZLIES 106, LAKERS 98
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Rudy Gay scored 21 points, Mike Conley added 19, and Memphis beat Los Angeles to improve to an NBA-best 9-2.
Zach Randolph had 17 points and 12 rebounds, Marc Gasol added 14 points and eight assists.
The Lakers, playing their third road game in four nights, have lost all four road games this season and their second straight with new coach Mike D’Antoni on the bench. Kobe Bryant scored 14 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter. Metta World Peace and Antawn Jamison each had 16.
NETS 86, CLIPPERS 76
NEW YORK — Brook Lopez had 26 points, including consecutive baskets during the decisive stretch, and Brooklyn shut down Los Angeles in the fourth quarter.
Brooklyn outscored Los Angeles 23-13 during a final period in which Chris Paul had no points, two assists and six fouls. Deron Williams didn’t have a great game either, but he improved to 14-4 in the longtime rivalry between two of the NBA’s top point guards.
Joe Johnson added 19 points for the Nets. They limited the Clippers to 29 points in the second half and got back on track after losing the final two games of a six-game trip.
Paul and Blake Griffin each had 14 points for the Clippers. They have dropped two in a row following a six-game winning streak.
SPURS 104, PACERS 97
INDIANAPOLIS — Tony Parker scored 33 points and San Antonio overcame a 17-point deficit to beat Indiana to improve to 10-3.
Tim Duncan had 22 points for San Antonio, which closed the game with a 17-2 run. Manu Ginobili scored 19 points. David West scored 22 points for the Pacers, and Paul George finished with 15.
CELTICS 108, THUNDER 100
BOSTON — Paul Pierce scored 22 of his 27 points in the second half and Boston beat Oklahoma City to snap a two-game losing streak.
Kevin Garnett had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Rajon Rondo finished with 16 assists and eight rebounds for the Celtics. They led by 14 points in the second half and held on after the Thunder cut it to three with under 2 minutes remaining.
Kevin Durant scored 29 points for Oklahoma City, which lost for just the second time in its last 10 games. Russell Westbrook had 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, and Serge Ibaka added 17 points and 13 rebounds.
HAWKS 101, BOBCATS 91
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Al Horford had 26 points and 13 rebounds to help Atlanta beat Charlotte for its fourth consecutive victory.
Horford was 13 of 17 from the field. Kyle Korver hit 4 of 6 3-pointers and finished with 16 points for Atlanta. Jeff Teague added 13 points and 12 assists, and Josh Smith had 10 points and eight assists.
Ramon Sessions had 22 points for Charlotte.
MAGIC 108, CAVALIERS 104
ORLANDO, Fla. — Jameer Nelson had 22 points and six assists, and Arron Afflalo added 19 in Orlando’s comeback victory over Cleveland.
Glen Davis had 10 of his 16 points the fourth quarter. Dion Waiters scored 25 points for Cleveland, and Anderson Varejao had 19. The Cavaliers have lost seven of eight.
PISTONS 91, RAPTORS 90
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Brandon Knight made a layup with 7.8 seconds left to lift Detroit past Toronto.
Greg Monroe had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Pistons, and Knight and Tayshaun Prince each had 16 points. Andrea Bargnani scored a season-best 34 points for Toronto.