Rockets slip past Warriors

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA— Eric Gordon scored 25 points with four 3-pointers, Chris Paul converted two free throws with 1:08 left on the way to 23 and the Houston Rockets, sans ill NBA scoring leader James Harden, outplayed the defending champions Golden State Warriors for a 118-112 victory on Saturday. Kevin Durant scored 29 points for the Warriors whose five-game home winning streak was snapped.

Eric Gordon scored 25 points with four 3pointers, Chris Paul converted two free throws with 1:08 left on the way to 23, and the Houston Rockets outplayed the Golden State Warriors without ill NBA scoring leader James Harden for a 118-112 victory Saturday night.

Stephen Curry’s 3 with 1:57 to play pulled the Warriors to 114-108 then his two free throws at 1:26 made it a four-point game before Houston came through at the line.

Kevin Durant scored 29 points and Curry added 25 with five 3s, nine rebounds and seven assists as the Warriors had their five-game home winning streak snapped in a matchup of West powers who met in the 2018 Western Conference finals won in seven games by Golden State.

Early in the fourth, Golden State’s Draymond Green exited the game with a sprained left ankle after grabbing at his foot in clear pain from stepping on teammate DeMarcus Cousins’ foot.

Pelicans 128, Lakers 115

In New Orleans, Jrue Holiday hit five 3-pointers and scored 27 points while Anthony Davis watched from the bench, and the Pelicans beat the Los Angeles Lakers.

Former Laker Julius Randle had 24 points for the Pelicans, who looked in sync and motivated as they slowed LeBron James and the Lakers’ push to qualify for the playoffs.

James had 27 points and 12 assists.

Blazers 130, 76ers 115

Jusuf Nurkic scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Damian Lillard had 17 points and Portland beat host Philadelphia.

The Sixers struggled in their second game without All-Star center Joel Embiid, who is expected to miss at least a week with a sore left knee.