Rockets lose again, skid hits 5 games
The Rockets won 25 of their first 29 games , but they have followed a 14-game winning streak with their worst tailspin in nearly five years.
Otto Porter Jr. scored 26 points and host Washington beat the Rockets 121-103 Friday night for Houston’s fifth straight loss. It’s the longest skid for the Rockets since dropping seven straight in 2013.
NBA scoring leader James Harden matched his season low with 20 points. Chris Paul returned after missing three games, but center Clint Capela was out with an orbital fracture for the second straight game.
“We just haven’t had a rhythm in these last five games, quite frankly,” Harden said.
“Mentally, we’re fine,” head coach Mike D’Antoni said. “We’ve got some tired legs and missing the big guy in the middle to give us a force to the rim . ... We’ve got all kinds of excuses, but that doesn’t work. It doesn’t matter.”
Bucks Antetokounmpo including 97, the Thunder questionable scored 95: Giannis 23 winning points, basket with 1.3 seconds left, and Milwaukee ended host Oklahoma City’s six-game winning streak. Replays clearly showed Antetokounmpo stepped out of bounds on his drive, but the officials refused to review the play. Russell Westbrook had 40 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.
Clippers 121, Lakers 106: Playing in his first game in a month, Blake Griffin scored 24 points as the Clippers sent the Lakers to their fifth straight loss.
Mavericks 128, Pelicans 120: Dennis Smith Jr. had his first career tripledouble (21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists) and visiting Dallas made a franchise-record 22 three-pointers. The Mavs have won three straight for the first time this season. DeMarcus Cousins had 32 points and 20 rebounds for New Orleans.
Bulls 119, Pacers 107: Rookie Lauri Markkanen scored a personal-high 32 points and host Chicago won its third straight game and 10th of 12.
Suns 111, Kings 101: Devin Booker scored 12 of his 26 points over the final five minutes to lift visiting Phoenix.
Nets 111, Heat 87: Joe Harris scored a career-high 21 points for visiting Brooklyn. The Nets were down 18-8 early — then outscored Miami 85-37 over the next 28 minutes.
Raptors 111, Hawks 98: DeMar DeRozan scored 25 points and Toronto won its 11th straight home game.