ROCKETS RALLY LATE IN COMEBACK WIN
Houston down New Orleans to go 10-up
CHRIS Paul and James Harden came alive late, and the Houston Rockets erased a 13-point, third-quarter deficit and extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 130-123 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.
Harden scored 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and matched his career high of 17 assists. Paul scored 16 points over the final 13plus minutes while adding nine rebounds and six assists.
The Rockets remained undefeated with Paul in the lineup at 11-0.
Houston also got a career-high 28 points from Clint Capela and 27 points from Eric Gordon.
Nikola Mirotic scored 24 points in his first start of the season, and Bobby Portis scored 23 as Chicago beat Boston 108-85 to win its third consecutive game.
David Nwaba finished with 13 points for the Bulls, who have not lost since snapping a 10-game losing streak on Friday with an overtime victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
The Celtics played without Kyrie Irving, who sat out due to a left quadriceps contusion.
Despite missing Stephen Curry (sprained right ankle) and Draymond Green (sore right shoulder), Golden State earned its seventh consecutive win beating Trail Blazers 111-104.
Kevin Durant scored 28 points, Klay Thompson had 24 points, and four other Warriors, including replacement starters Omri Casspi and Jordan Bell, also scored in double figures.
Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams each scored 17 points as Los Angeles held on for a 9691 victory over Toronto.
Jonas Valanciunas scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as the Raptors saw their sixgame winning streak end.
Dwight Howard scored 23 points and Kemba Walker added 19 as Charlotte used a big third quarter to beat Oklahoma City 116- 103.
Charlotte snapped a threegame losing streak by earning just its second win in nine games.
The Thunder failed at yet another attempt to crawl back to .500. Oklahoma City have lost three games with a chance to even its record since Nov 15, when it was 7-7.
Russell Westbrook scored 30 points for the Thunder. Paul George added 20 in his first game back after missing two consecutive games with a calf injury.
Steven Adams had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Goran Dragic scored 19 points as Miami defeated Memphis 107-82.
The Grizzlies have lost four straight and 15 of their past 16 games, and their home record fell to 5-11.
Miami got 17 points from guard Josh Richardson and 14 points each off the bench from centre Bam Adebayo and guard Tyler Johnson. Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 19 points.