RIVERS SPOILS HARDEN’S EFFORT
HOUSTON» Austin Rivers scored a career-high 36 points with six 3-pointers, and the Clippers withstood James Harden’s second straight 51-point performance to beat the Rockets 128118 on Friday night.
The Rockets, who had a 14game winning streak snapped by the Lakers on Wednesday, lost consecutive games for just the second time this season and the first since Oct. 28 and 30.
Rivers made a 3-pointer with just under three minutes to play that pushed the lead to 117-111. Ryan Anderson made two free throws for Houston before C.J. Williams added a layup for the Clippers.
FRIDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
Russell Westbrook hit a 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left to cap a 30-point, 15-assist outing, and the Thunder held off the Hawks 120-117. Carmelo Anthony added 24 points on 7-of-12 3-point shooting and Paul George scored 17 for the Thunder. … Khris Middleton scored 28 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 and the Bucks overcame a late deficit to beat the Hornets 109-104. After Kemba Walker gave Charlotte a 104-100 lead with 2:24 remaining, Milwaukee closed on a 9-0 run, the Bucks tied it on dunks by Antetokounmpo and Middleton and took the lead on Eric Bledsoe’s layup. … Wayne Ellington tied a career high with 28 points, Josh Richardson scored 24 and the Heat never trailed on the way to beating the Mavericks 113-101. Tyler Johnson scored 19 and Bam Adebayo scored 14 for Miami, which shot 64 percent — second-best in franchise history. The Heat started both halves with 12-0 runs and went 16 for 25 from 3-point range. … Rondae HollisJefferson had 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Nets toa 119-84 victory over the Wizards. Caris LeVert scored 17 points, while DeMarre Carroll, Spencer Dinwiddie and Nik Stauskas added 15 apiece to help the Nets snap a four-game losing streak. … DeMarcus Cousins had 26 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, and the Pelicans never trailed in a 111-97 win over the Magic. Anthony Davis added 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday had 24 points for New Orleans. … Andre Drummond had 18 points and 15 rebounds, and the Pistons rallied to beat the Knicks 104-101. Tobias Harris scored 24 points for the Pistons.