Harden lifts Rockets to OT win over Bulls
HOUSTON 121 CHICAGO 117 (OT)
James Harden had 42 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists to rally the Houston Rockets past the visiting Chicago Bulls, 121-117, in overtime Friday night.
Harden made a step-back jumper over Paul Zipser with 36.1 seconds left in the extra period and was fouled. He made the free throw to give the Rockets a two-point lead they never relinquished.
Earlier in the game, Harden stepped back and connected to tie the score at 108 with 27.3 seconds remaining in regulation.
The Bulls played without star forward Jimmy Butler, who was nursing a bruised heel. Starting in his place, Michael Carter-Williams had 23 points before fouling out with two minutes left in overtime.
at Oklahoma City 114, Memphis
102: Russell Westbrook scored 19 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter as the Thunder snapped a threegame skid. Westbrook also had 13 rebounds and 12 assists for his 25th triple-double this season.
Indiana 106, at Brooklyn 97: Paul George and Jeff Teague each scored 24 points as the Pacers won their fifth straight game. Brook Lopez scored 23 points for the Nets, who have lost eight in a row.
at Detroit 116, Minnesota 108: Marcus Morris scored a career-high 36 points for the Pistons, who overcame five-for-20 shooting from their starting backcourt of Reggie Jackson and Kentavious CaldwellPope. Jon Leuer added a careerhigh 24 points for Detroit.
at Denver 121, Milwaukee 117:
Nikola Jokic returned to the lineup with the first triple-double of his career as the Nuggets held off the skidding Bucks. The loss was Milwaukee’s 10th in 11 games and came after a big rally in the second half.
at Orlando 102, Toronto 94: Serge Ibaka scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds while Evan Fournier added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic.
Phoenix 105, at Sacramento 103:
Devin Booker scored 33 points and made the game-winning jumper at the buzzer as the Suns snapped a five-game losing streak.
Dallas 108, at Portland 104: Yogi Ferrell, who signed a 10-day contract with the Mavericks six days ago, scored 32 points in a victory over the Trail Blazers.
at Boston 113, Lakers 107