NBA GAME RECAPS

NBA Recaps: Rockets’ 15 3-pointers extends streak

The Sports Xchange

December 07, 2016 at 11:26 pm.

Dec 7, 2016; Houston, TX, USA;  Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter at Toyota Center. Photo Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 7, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter at Toyota Center. Photo Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON — Eric Gordon scored 26 points in 23 minutes off the bench and James Harden added 25 points and eight assists as the Houston Rockets throttled the Los Angeles Lakers 134-95 on Wednesday night at Toyota Center.

Gordon made 9 of 13 shots from the field and a career-high eight 3-pointers to pace the onslaught.

The Rockets (15-7) extended their NBA-record streak of games with at least 10 3-pointers to 21, finishing 15 of 36 from behind the arc en route to their sixth victory in seven games.

The Rockets torching the short-handed Lakers’ defense, which offered little resistance save for one fleeting stretch in the second quarter.

Hawks 103, Heat 95

ATLANTA — Dwight Howard posted his 16th double-double with 23 points and 17 rebounds and helped Atlanta end its seven-game losing streak with a win over Miami at Philips Arena.

Howard shot 9 for 11 from the floor and was 5 for 6 at the line. Seven of his rebounds came on the offensive glass and Howard had four assists and two blocks.

Just as important was the veteran’s presence on defense, where he was instrumental in helping Atlanta limit Miami’s Hassan Whiteside to only eight points — 10 below his season average — on 4-for-12 shooting. Whiteside was whistled for three offensive fouls.

Bucks 115, Trail Blazers 107

MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his second triple-double of the season, and Jabari Parker scored 27 points as Milwaukee rallied in the second half for a victory over Portland at the Bradley Center.

Antetokounmpo scored 15 points to go along with 12 rebounds and 11 assists in 40 minutes.

Parker scored 10 of his points in the third quarter, hitting 4 of 8 shots as the Bucks connected at a 61.1 percent clip and took a nine-point lead into the fourth.

Nets 116, Nuggets 111

NEW YORK — Brook Lopez scored 24 points as Brooklyn blew most of a 29-point lead and held on for a victory over Denver.

Lopez was among five starters in double figures for Brooklyn, which wobbled to the finish of its second win in 10 games.

The Nets held a 92-63 lead with 5:56 remaining in the third quarter but were outscored 48-24 the rest of the way. Brooklyn never trailed but misfired on 20 of 24 shots in the fourth quarter.

Celtics 117, Magic 87

ORLANDO, Fla. — Avery Bradley scored 23 points in leading Boston to a victory over Orlando at the Amway Center.

The Celtics were without leading scorer Isaiah Thomas, who missed the game with a groin strain, but they still dominated the second half. The Magic never got closer than 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Reserve Terry Rozier scored 16 points and grabbed five rebounds. Amir Johnson scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds. Jae Crowder had 15 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Marcus Smart, starting in place of Thomas, scored 13 points. Rookie Jalen Brown had 13 points.

Hornets 87, Pistons 77

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kemba Walker scored 25 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, and Charlotte ground out an ugly win over Detroit at the Spectrum Center.

The Hornets shot just 34.1 percent from the field (30 of 88). However, they committed only five turnovers all night and made 16 more free throws than the visitors, going 21 of 29 from the line to Detroit’s 5 of 8.

Charlotte gained a bit of revenge after the Pistons rolled to a 112-89 win at Spectrum Center eight days earlier.

Cavaliers 126, Knicks 94

NEW YORK — Kyrie Irving continued his mastery over New York at Madison Square Garden, scoring 28 points in Cleveland’s win over the Knicks.

Irving is averaging 28.4 points in six games at Madison Square Garden, his highest scoring average among all NBA arenas.

LeBron James added 25 points and Kevin Love contributed 21 points in the Cavaliers’ second straight road win. Cleveland knocked off the Toronto Raptors 116-112 on Monday.

It was the sixth time this season and the 16th time since the 2014-15 season that Irving, James and Love all scored at least 20 points in a game.

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