Rockets trip Twolves; Cavs win
HOUSTON – James Harden scored 31 points and the Houston Rockets won their 11th straight game with a 120-102 victory Friday night over the Minnesota Timberwolves, who lost All-Star Jimmy Butler to a knee injury.
Butler left late in the third quarter. After grabbing a rebound, he pivoted and planted hard on his right foot before collapsing and grabbing his right knee. He was on the floor for at least three minutes before he was carried off the court by two teammates.
Coach Tom Thibodeau said Butler will have an MRI and be re-evaluated on Saturday.
Clint Capela had 25 points and 11 rebounds for Houston, getting his 10th double-double over the past 13 games. Chris Paul added 14 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
The Rockets trailed for much of the first half before going ahead to maintain the NBA’s best record.
Andrew Wiggins led Minnesota with 21 points, and Jeff Teague and Karl-Anthony Towns both had 18 points. Towns added 13 rebounds.
In Memphis, LeBron James had 18 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in his 11th triple-double of the season, and Cleveland pulled away after a slow start for a 112-89 victory over Memphis.
George Hill also scored 18 points, while Larry Nance Jr. finished with 15 and Jordan Clarkson had 14 as the newcomers had good nights in the Cavaliers’ fifth win in the last six games.
Tyreke Evans and JaMychal Green each had 15 points for Memphis, with Evans also dishing out 10 assists and Green grabbing 10 rebounds. Marc Gasol had 14 points and nine rebounds.
Cleveland outscored Memphis 58-40 in the second half, sending the Grizzlies to their eighth straight loss.
In other NBA games, it was Trailblazers 100, Jazz 81; Pelicans 124, Heat 123, OT; Bucks 122, Raptors 119, OT; Lakers 124, Mavericks 102; Hornets 122, Wizards 105; Celtics 110, Pistons 98; Clippers 128, Suns 117; Pacers 116, Hawks 93.