Harden, Rockets Edge Nuggets for 12th Straight Win
The Houston Rockets continue to keep themselves on top of the Western Conference, and a 12-game win streak definitely doesn't hurt that process. James Harden had 41 points and eight rebounds to lift the Rockets over the Denver Nuggets, 119-114, on Sunday night for their 12th straight win. Chris Paul added 23 points for Houston, who shot 50 percent from the floor and had to hang on after blowing a 14-point halftime lead. Harden helped build that lead by scoring 27 in the first half alone, as he has now surpassed 40 points nine times this season. Houston also owns the best record in the NBA at 46-13 and is 21-4 since December 29th. They are outscoring opponents by an average of 12.5 points during this current streak. Nikola Jokic had 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead Denver in the loss, which snapped their four-game win streak. Will Barton added 25, as the Nuggets dropped to just 24-8 on their home floor. The Rockets will put their win streak on the line on Monday in Utah against the Jazz. The Nuggets will stay home to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.
Cavs Fall to Spurs on Home Floor
Even the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers are struggling in front of a national t.v. audience on their home floor, as that was the case yet again on Sunday afternoon. LaMarcus Aldridge had 27 points, while Danny Green added 22 in the Spurs' 110-94 win over the Cavs. The win for San Antonio snaps a four-game losing streak, as they were led by Green, who missed Friday's game due to food poisoning. Green came off the bench for the first time in 49 games and made five three-pointers after he said he ate bad spaghetti, which caused him to miss Friday's loss to the Denver Nuggets. LeBron James had 33 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists in the loss for Cleveland, who is now 3-2 since trading for Jordan Clarkson, Rodney Hood, George Hill, and Larry Nance Jr. The foul trouble played a big role in the Spurs pulling away, as they shot 32 free throws compared to just 14 for Cleveland. They did get as close as eight in their deficit with under five minutes to play, but the Spurs were able to keep them down for good. They will be back home on Wednesday night to host the New Orleans Pelicans. The Cavs play host to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.
Sixers' Streak Ends Against the Wizards
The Philadelphia 76ers had been undefeated since the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. That streak ended on Sunday night, as the Sixers fell to the Washington Wizards, 109-94, on the road. The loss snaps a seven-game win streak for Philly, which bumped them to the seven-seed in the Eastern Conference. Otto Porter had 24 points to lead Washington, while Bradley Beal added 23 for the Wizards, who shot 54 percent on the night. The deciding factor was the second quarter, where the Wizards outscored the Sixers, 37-20. They were able to hold on and improve to 9-3 since losing John Wall to knee surgery, as they would've fallen behind the Sixers in winning percentage. Kelly Oubre also stepped up by scoring 16 of his 19 points in the first half, as the Wizards remained in the five seed in the East. The Sixers got 25 points and 10 rebounds from Joel Embiid on the night, as they stay a half game behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the standings. Ben Simmons added 16 points for the Sixers, who have now dropped eight straight in Washington. They will hope to bounce back on Tuesday when they visit the Miami Heat. The Wizards move on to visit the Milwaukee Bucks that same night.
The Houston Rockets continue to keep themselves on top of the Western Conference, and a 12-game win streak definitely doesn't hurt that process. James Harden had 41 points and eight rebounds to lift the Rockets over the Denver Nuggets, 119-114, on Sunday night for their 12th straight win. Chris Paul added 23 points for Houston, who shot 50 percent from the floor and had to hang on after blowing a 14-point halftime lead. Harden helped build that lead by scoring 27 in the first half alone, as he has now surpassed 40 points nine times this season. Houston also owns the best record in the NBA at 46-13 and is 21-4 since December 29th. They are outscoring opponents by an average of 12.5 points during this current streak. Nikola Jokic had 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead Denver in the loss, which snapped their four-game win streak. Will Barton added 25, as the Nuggets dropped to just 24-8 on their home floor. The Rockets will put their win streak on the line on Monday in Utah against the Jazz. The Nuggets will stay home to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.
Cavs Fall to Spurs on Home Floor
Even the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers are struggling in front of a national t.v. audience on their home floor, as that was the case yet again on Sunday afternoon. LaMarcus Aldridge had 27 points, while Danny Green added 22 in the Spurs' 110-94 win over the Cavs. The win for San Antonio snaps a four-game losing streak, as they were led by Green, who missed Friday's game due to food poisoning. Green came off the bench for the first time in 49 games and made five three-pointers after he said he ate bad spaghetti, which caused him to miss Friday's loss to the Denver Nuggets. LeBron James had 33 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists in the loss for Cleveland, who is now 3-2 since trading for Jordan Clarkson, Rodney Hood, George Hill, and Larry Nance Jr. The foul trouble played a big role in the Spurs pulling away, as they shot 32 free throws compared to just 14 for Cleveland. They did get as close as eight in their deficit with under five minutes to play, but the Spurs were able to keep them down for good. They will be back home on Wednesday night to host the New Orleans Pelicans. The Cavs play host to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.
Sixers' Streak Ends Against the Wizards
The Philadelphia 76ers had been undefeated since the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. That streak ended on Sunday night, as the Sixers fell to the Washington Wizards, 109-94, on the road. The loss snaps a seven-game win streak for Philly, which bumped them to the seven-seed in the Eastern Conference. Otto Porter had 24 points to lead Washington, while Bradley Beal added 23 for the Wizards, who shot 54 percent on the night. The deciding factor was the second quarter, where the Wizards outscored the Sixers, 37-20. They were able to hold on and improve to 9-3 since losing John Wall to knee surgery, as they would've fallen behind the Sixers in winning percentage. Kelly Oubre also stepped up by scoring 16 of his 19 points in the first half, as the Wizards remained in the five seed in the East. The Sixers got 25 points and 10 rebounds from Joel Embiid on the night, as they stay a half game behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the standings. Ben Simmons added 16 points for the Sixers, who have now dropped eight straight in Washington. They will hope to bounce back on Tuesday when they visit the Miami Heat. The Wizards move on to visit the Milwaukee Bucks that same night.
