Harden scores 53 as Rockets roll; OKC routs short-handed Clippers

HOUSTON — James Harden had 53 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds for his second straight triple-double as the Houston Rockets beat the New York Knicks 129-122 on Saturday night.

Harden set career highs for points and 3-pointers with nine, and matched his career best for assists. He passed his previous career best of 51 points on a 3 with 1:16 left, leading to a standing ovation.

The Knicks got within three several times in the fourth quarter, with the last time coming on a layup by Joakim Noah with about 4 minutes left. Harden responded to Noah’s basket with three free throws before dishing to Ryan Anderson for a 3-pointer that made it 119-111.

Another 3 by Anderson with less than 2 minutes left extended the lead to 124-113.

Harden had 30 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in Friday night’s 140-116 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers. On Saturday he has his fourth career 50-point game.

THUNDER 114. CLIPPERS 88: In Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook had 17 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds for his NBA-best 16th triple-double of the season as Oklahoma City beat depleted Los Angeles.

Westbrook played just 28 minutes as OKC put away Los Angeles with a big first half. Enes Kanter had 23 points and eight rebounds. Victor Oladipo added 15 points.

The Clippers played without star guard Chris Paul, who was sidelined by a hamstring injury, and Blake Griffin, who is recovering from right knee surgery.

Oladipo and Kanter each had nine points in the first quarter as Oklahoma City jumped out to a 33-12 lead. Alex Abrines drilled a half-court shot at the halftime buzzer, giving the Thunder a 69-40 lead at the break.

CAVALIERS 121, HORNETS 109: In Charlotte, N.C., LeBron James scored 17 of his 32 points in the first quarter as Cleveland beat Charlotte without Kyrie Irving, who is nursing a hamstring injury.

“I was just locked in from the beginning,” James said. “I had to get off to a good start. Then finding out Kyrie was scratched late … I just took it upon myself and the team, and we just got off to a great first quarter and it helped us a lot.”

Kevin Love added 28 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland.

Irving got hurt during Thursday’s 124-118 victory over Boston.

Jordan McRae, who got the start with Irving out of the lineup, had 20 points, and Kay Felder finished with 13.

James was 6-for-7 from the field in the first quarter, including 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.

JAZZ 91, SUNS 86: In Salt Lake City, Rudy Gobert had 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Gordon Hayward added 18 points and nine rebounds as Utah earned a victory over Phoenix.

Rodney Hood added 13 points to help the Jazz win its third straight.

Devin Booker scored 18 of his 20 points in the first quarter for Phoenix, and Eric Bledsoe added 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. The Suns scored just one basket over the final 6:45.

The game featured 20 lead changes and eight ties, until Hayward tipped in a missed basket to put Utah ahead for good. Gobert followed with a pair of dunks to give the Jazz an 89-84 lead with 1:46 left.

BUCKS 116, BULLS 96: In Chicago, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points, Jabari Parker added 27 and Milwaukee used a huge fourth quarter to beat Chicago.

The Bucks outscored the Bulls 36-20 in the fourth to break open a tight game and come away with a lopsided win.

Antetokounmpo dazzled with an array of layups and dunks to go with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the first half. He also had nine rebounds, seven assists and a career-high seven blocks in another strong all-around performance.

One night after being benched for poor play, Chicago’s Rajon Rondo didn’t even get into the game.

The veteran point guard indicated he might ask for a trade if this continues.

GRIZZLIES 112, KINGS 98: In Sacramento, Calif., Mike Conley had 22 points and eight rebounds and Memphis used a big third quarter to beat Sacramento.

JaMychal Green made four of Memphis’ 17 3-pointers and finished with 18 points. Zach Randolph and Vince Carter each scored 14, and Tony Allen and Troy Daniels had 11 points apiece.