Harden leads Rockets over Cavs
HOUSTON: James Harden scored 33 points and LeBron James missed a pair of free throws with 4.2 seconds left in overtime, helping the Houston Rockets hold on for a 105-103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.
James hit a 3-pointer with 43.5 seconds left to get Cleveland within one point. Harden and James got tangled up on Houston’s next possession, but no foul was called and the shot clock expired.
James drove into the lane and was fouled by Josh Smith, but missed both free throws to finish three for 11 at the line. Harden, who had his 26th 30-point game this season, added a free throw and Cleveland missed a three at the buzzer.
James finished with 37 points after resting during Friday night’s loss at Indiana. He returned for a chippy contest that had multiple technicals and a flagrant foul by Harden on James.
The Cavaliers had a chance to win in regulation but James held the ball until right before the buzzer and his jump shot bounced off the rim.
Golden State’s Stephen Curry scored 37 points, making four straight free throws to clinch it in the final seconds as the Warriors erased a 26-point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 106-101.
In Chicago, DeAndre Jordan had 26 rebounds and Chris Paul scored 28 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers past the Chicago Bulls 96-86.
Bulls rookie reserve Nikola Mirotic scored a career-high 29 points.
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-101 after Serge Ibaka had 18 points and 14 rebounds, and DJ Augustin added 18 points and nine rebounds.
In other games, Damian Lillard scored nine of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and LaMarcus Aldridge had 26 points and 15 rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers downed the Sacramento Kings 110-99, the Charlotte Hornets beat the Orlando Magic 98-83, the Indiana Pacers trounced the Philadelphia 76ers 94-74 and the New Orleans Pelicans were 99-92 winners over the Denver Nuggets.