NBA Roundup: Missed FTs from LeBron help Rockets edge Cavs in OT

Photo courtesy of NBA Facebook page | By ABS-CBN Sports

ROCKETS 105, CAVALIERS 103

James Harden came out on top in his duel with LeBron James as the Houston Rockets topped the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime, 105-103, on Sunday (Monday in the Philippines) in Houston’s Toyota Center.

Harden’s 33 points pushed the Rockets ahead, 105-100, until LeBron drilled a trey to get the Cavaliers within two with 43 seconds left in overtime. In the game’s decisive possession, LeBron was fouled in his drive onto the lane, but muffed both charities that secured Houston’s 41st win in 59 games.

LeBron finished with 37 markers, but his three out of 11 free throw performance became the most glaring factor in Cleveland’s drop to 37-24.

CLIPPERS 96, BULLS 86

Chris Paul had 28 points and 12 assists to drive the Los Angeles Clippers ahead of the Chicago Bulls, 96-86, at the United Center in Chicago.

DeAndre Jordan contributed 26 rebounds to own the glass against the Bulls who were without Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson and then lost Jimmy Butler for the second half. The final score raised the Clippers to 39-21 and lowered the Bulls to 37-23.

WARRIORS 106, CELTICS 101

The Golden State Warriors battled back from a 26-point deficit to edge the Boston Celtics, 106-101, at the TD Garden in Boston.

Stephen Curry scored 37 to lead the Warriors in erasing a huge second quarter margin for their 46th victory out of 57. On the other hand, the Celtics squandered a good start to fall to 23-34.

THUNDER 108, LAKERS 101

The Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook-less Oklahoma City Thunder still proved too much for the Los Angeles, 108-101, at the Staples Center in LA.

With Durant hobbled by a foot injury and Westbrook just having undergone surgery in his cheek, newcomers DJ Augustin and Enes Kanter merged for 34 points and 24 rebounds in the Thunder’s 33rd triumph in 60 tries. Augustin and Kanter snapped the Lakers’ season-best three-game win run and sent LA to 16-42.

BLAZERS 110, KINGS 99

Damian Lillard drained nine of his 31 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to run away from the Sacramento Kings, 110-99, at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento.

LaMarcus Aldridge added 26 markers and 15 rebounds to give Portland its third straight victory coming from a 36-19 record. Rudy Gay’s 24 points were not enough to prevent Sacramento’s 37th loss out of 57.

PELICANS 99, NUGGETS 92

The New Orleans Pelicans notched their fifth consecutive victory, this time at the expense of the Denver Nuggets, 99-92, at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

Tyreke Evans’ 22 points led the Pelicans to their fourth win in a row without sidelined Anthony Davis coming from a 28-27 record. Denver stumbled to 20-39 with the loss.

HORNETS 98, MAGIC 83

Mo Williams’ double-double proved to be the difference in the Charlotte Hornets’ 98-83 victory versus the Orlando Magic at the Amway center in Orlando.

Williams finished with 23 points and 11 assists to help elevate the Hornets to 24-33. Victor Oladipo led the Magic in the losing effort, their 42nd out of 61.

PACERS 94, 76ERS 74

Roy Hibbert powered the Indiana Pacers through the Philadelphia 76ers, 94-74, in Indianapolis’ Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Hibbert had 14 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks as the surging Pacers won their eighth in the past 10 games coming from a 17-32 record. The loss sent the 76ers to 13-46.