Harden scores 58 points in Rockets’ OT loss to Nets

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 25 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter and overtime and the Brooklyn Nets spoiled James Harden’s 58-point night with a 145-142 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday in Houston.

Harden had his second straight season high after scoring 57 in a victory over Memphis on Monday night, but was only 5 of 19 from 3-point range. The Rockets shot an Nbarecord 70 3s, making just 23.

Harden has scored at least 30 points in 18 straight games and has reached 40 in nine of the last 12. He was 16 of 34 overall from the field, made 21 of 23 free throws and had 10 rebounds and six assists.

Dinwiddie forced overtime, making three 3-pointers in the last 30 seconds of regulation. In the extra period, he hit the go-ahead basket with 28 seconds left.

After Harden made three free throws to give the Rockets a one-point lead, James Nunnally — who signed a 10-day contract Wednesday — hit a 3-pointer to make it 142-135 with 1:28 left.

Treveon Graham made a 3 for Brooklyn and Jarrett Allen made a basket but missed a free throw to cut the lead to 142-140. But the Nets grabbed a rebound and Dinwiddie, who had seven points in OT, made a three-point play to put Brooklyn up 143-142. Austin Rivers missed a 3 for Houston, and Joe Harris made two free throws to make it 145-142 with 1.6 seconds left.

Houston had a chance to tie it at the buzzer, but Gerald Green’s shot clanged off the rim. CELTICS 117, RAPTORS 108: Kyrie Irving hit a foul-line fadeaway to give Boston the lead, then hit a 31-foot 3-pointer to finish with 27 points and lead the Celtics past Toronto. Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points for the Raptors. PISTONS 120, MAGIC 115, OT: Blake Griffin scored 30 points to lead Detroit to a victory over Orlando. Andre Drummond added 14 points and 21 rebounds for the Pistons.

LAKERS’ JAMES CLEARED TO PRACTICE: Lebron James was cleared to practice with the Los Angeles Lakers after they return from their upcoming two-game road trip. James strained his groin on Christmas. He will have missed 13 consecutive games by the time Los Angeles returns from the road this weekend, matching the most games ever missed in one season by the fourtime NBA MVP.