ROCKETS BREAK LOSING STREAK
The Houston Rockets ended their 20-game losing streak Monday night, as John Wall had his first triple-double in five years in a 117-99 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Rockets 117, Raptors 99
Houston’s skid was tied for the ninth-worst in NBA history and the longest since Philadelphia’s record-setting, 28-game losing streak across the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
But Wall had 19 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds, his first triple-double since Feb. 5, 2016. That helped the Rockets get their first win since Feb. 4.
Houston also handed the Raptors their ninth straight loss, which now represents the NBA’s longest active losing streak.
All five Houston starters scored in double figures by midway through the third quarter. Jae’Sean Tate had 22 points, Sterling Brown added 20, Christian Wood scored 19 and Danuel House Jr. added 12.
Houston closed out the third quarter with an 88-86 lead and opened the fourth quarter on a 9-1 run to pull away.
The Rockets led 65-60 at halftime after a 51-footer at the buzzer by House, who heaved the shot from well behind the half-court line near the Raptors bench on the sideline. House’s shot swished through the net without hitting the rim or backboard.
Houston overcame a rough first half where Wall received a technical foul for a third straight game, arguing with an official five minutes into the first quarter. Wood picked up his third personal foul less than three minutes into the second quarter and was limited to just eight scoreless first-half minutes.
Fred VanVleet led Toronto with 27 points. Pascal Siakam scored 21 points, Norman Powell had 19 and Kyle Lowry added 17.
Clippers 119, Hawks 110: Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points, Terance Mann added a season-high 21 and host Los Angeles rallied from a 22point deficit in the second half to snap the Atlanta Hawks’ eight-game winning streak.
Luke Kennard made all eight of his shots and scored all of his season-high 20 points in the second half for the Clippers, who fell behind 88-66 in the third quarter shortly after a frustrated coach Ty Lue put in a lineup of five reserves. With Mann and Kennard leading the comeback, Los Angeles ended the game on a dominant 53-22 run.
Bucks 140, Pacers 113: Jrue Holiday had 28 points and 14 assists, and host Milwaukee posted its seventh straight win despite playing without Giannis Antetokoumpo because of a sprained left knee. Khris Middleton had 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Hornets 100, Spurs 97: Gordon Hayward scored 27 points, Terry Rozier added 24 and visiting Charlotte got the win in its first game since losing LaMelo Ball to injury. P.J. Washington added 10 points and 13 rebounds as Charlotte snapped a three-game skid.
Grizzlies 132, Celtics 126 (OT): Ja Morant had 29 points and nine assists, and host Memphis won for the third time in four games. Dillon Brooks had 24 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Grizzlies.
Jazz 120, Bulls 95: Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points, sending Utah to the road win. Rudy Gobert had 21 points, 10 rebounds and a careerhigh nine blocks for the Jazz, who rolled to their second straight win after losing five of eight.
Thunder 112, Timberwolves 103: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points, and Oklahoma City relied on strong 3-point shooting in the road win. The Thunder set a season high with 21 3pointers in just 37 attempts.
Kings 119, Cavaliers 105: De’Aaron Fox scored 30 points, Tyrese Haliburton had a career-high 28 and the Kings completed their longest road trip of the season with a victory over the Cavaliers.