ROCKETS BEAT LAKERS AFTER TWO OVERTIMES

HOUSTON» James Harden scored 40 points before leaving with a hamstring injury late in the fourth quarter, and Chris Paul scored 15 of his 28 points in overtime as the Rockets snapped a five-game skid with a 148-142 double-overtime win over the Lakers on Sunday night.

Los Angeles led by as many as 17, but couldn’t hold on as the team’s season-long losing streak stretched to six games.

Paul made a pair of free throws to tie it at 142 with about a minute left in the second overtime before Tarik Black blocked Kyle Kuzma’s shot on the other end to give Houston the ball back. P.J. Tucker grabbed a rebound on a miss by Paul and put it back up to put Houston on top.

Tucker blocked a 3-point attempt by Kuzma, and Paul added two more free throws to make it 146-142 with three seconds left.

Paul made two more free throws after that to secure the win. He played 42 minutes in his second game back from injury.

HIGH LIGHTS

Harrison Barnes scored 24 points, Dennis Smith Jr. got 11 of his 19 points in the final 1:39 and the Mavericks closed 2017 with their season-best fourth straight win, beating the Thunder 116-113. Dallas won despite Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook recording his 12th triple-double of the season with 38 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists. … Dario Saric tied a season high with 27 points and the 76ers beat the Suns 123-110 after blowing an 18-point lead in one quarter. … Lou Williams scored 40 points, Blake Griffin added 25 and the Clippers held off the Hornets 106-98. … Tyreke Evans had 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists against his former team and the Grizzlies beat the Kings 114-96. … Kyrie Irving scored 28 points, Al Horford had 10 points and 10 rebounds and the Celtics held off the Nets 108105. … Jimmy Butler had 26 points, six rebounds and five assists, and the Timberwolves never trailed in a 107-90 victory over the Pacers. … Bradley Beal scored 17 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Wizards to a 114-110 win over the Bulls.