NBA: Redhot Harden scores 44 in Rockets’ 6th straight win.
James Harden scored 44 points and the host Houston Rockets used a big fourthquarter run to beat the Indiana Pacers 111102 on Friday night.
Houston has won a seasonhigh six games in a row and Harden has scored 36 points or more in five straight games to carry the Rockets as they deal with injuries to Clint Capela, Eric Gordon and Danuel House.
Domantas Sabonis had 18 points and 13 rebounds for Indiana, and Doug and McDermott also scored 18 points. Indiana had won four in a row.
Lakers 99, Kings 97: Los Angeles defended its home court behind 29 points from LeBron James and 17 by Anthony Davis. Buddy Hield led Sacramento with 21.
Hornets 109, Pistons 106: Malik Monk hit a 3pointer at the buzzer to lift host Charlotte past Detroit. Monk finished with 19 points on 8of12 shooting to help the Hornets snap a fourgame losing streak. Thunder 127, 76ers 119: Danilo Gallinari scored 28 points to help host Oklahoma City outlast Philadelphia in overtime. Chris Paul had 27 points for the Thunder, who had dropped three of four.
Wizards 137, Timberwolves 116: Bradley Beal scored 44 points for the second straight game and visiting Washington snapped a threegame losing streak with the victory over shorthanded Minnesota.
Grizzlies 107, Jazz 106: Ja Morant scored 25 points, including the goahead basket with 1:32 remaining, Dillon Brooks added 20 points and host Memphis beat Utah, spoiling the return of former Grizzlies guard Mike Conley. Morant added eight assists along with several highlightworthy plays. While the rookie from Murray State is still learning control of his speed and flashiness, it already appears Memphis has found a suitable replacement to Conley for the long term.
“His change of speeds, change of direction is just different,” Jaren Jackson Jr. said of Morant.
Magic 111, Spurs 109: Evan Fournier scored 26 points, hitting two late 3pointers, and Orlando handed visiting San Antonio its fourth straight loss.