George, Westbrook’s triple double power Thunder over Rockets

HOUSTON – Paul George scored 45 points, Russell Westbrook matched the NBA record with his ninth straight triple double and the Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a 26-point deficit to beat the Houston Rockets 117-112 on Saturday night.

Westbrook had 21 points, 11 assists and 12 rebounds to match the record streak set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1968. Westbrook has 22 triple-doubles this season and 126 overall. He also had 10 turnovers and was 8 of 21 from the field.

James Harden led the Rockets with 42 points, reaching 30 points for the 29th straight game – two shy of Chamberlain for the second-longest streak in NBA history, but far behind Chamberlain’s record run of 65 games. Harden was 11 for 28 from the field, going 6 of 16 from 3-point range, and made 14 of 15 free throws.

The 26-point deficit was Oklahoma City’s largest of the season.

In Boston, Montrezl Harrell forced two turnovers in the final two minutes and Patrick Beverley hit a pair of 3-pointers in front of the Boston bench night and retooled Los Angeles overcame a 28-point deficit to win 123-112.

In Indianapolis, Bojan Bogdanovic scored 23 points and Indiana beat Cleveland for its fifth straight victory 105-90.

Darren Collison added 18 points, Myles Turner had 14 points and eight rebounds and Domantas Sabonis added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan Clarkson led the Cavaliers with 18 points.

In other NBA games, it was Raptors 104, Knicks 99;Magic 103, Bucks 83; Hornets 129, Hawks 120; Jazz 125, Spurs 105; Wizards 134, Bulls 125; Grizzlies 99, Pelicans 90.