Harden, Rockets down Mavericks on way to orbit
DALLAS – James Harden is an All-Star for the sixth straight season. New Houston teammate Chris Paul will miss the February party for the second year in a row following nine consecutive appearances for the Western Conference.
The Rockets aren’t exactly pleased about the Paul part.
“He averages what 19 (points) and nine assists?” Harden asked after getting 25 points and 13 assists in a 104-97 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. “What are we rewarding? We’re winning and he’s putting up the numbers, there’s no question.
“Obviously, we have a lot of depth on this team, but I’m not doing it out there by myself. He’s controlling the games as well.”
Paul scored 12 points with seven rebounds and four assists as the Rockets beat their Texas rivals for the sixth straight time. The streak started with a fourgame sweep last season. Houston won its fourth straight game and seventh in the past nine.
In other results, New Orleans turned back Charlotte, 101-96; Utah upended Detroit, 98-95; Indiana routed Phoenix, 116-101; Philadelphia blasted Chicago, 115-101; Toronto clobbered Atlanta, 108-93; San Antonio whipped Memphis, 108-85; and Portland smothered Minnesota, 123-114.
In Los Angeles, one night after falling to the lowly Lakers, the Boston Celtics returned to Staples Center to remind everyone why they’re among the NBA’s best at 35-14. The Celtics’ defense hounded the Clippers all night, forcing 19 turnovers and holding them to 44.3 percent shooting in a 113102 victory.
Back in Dallas, after missing the first 14 games with a left knee injury, Paul later sat another three with a left abductor strain. But the Rockets are 24-5 in games he has played, and won his first 15 starts. He is averaging 18.8 points, 8.8 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.
“People that should be watching games don’t watch the games and see how important a guy is,” coach Mike D’Antoni said before the game.