The Oklahoma City Thunder cannot be slowed down since the calendar turned to 2019, and February is no different for them after a hot January. Paul George scored 43 points, including a career-high 10 three-pointers, in the Thunder's 118-102 win over the Miami Heat. Dennis Schroder added 28 points, 24 of which came in the second quarter, as the Thunder won their seventh consecutive game. That is the longest current win streak in the NBA, and Friday's win had to feel extra nice for George, who at once dropped 11 straight games in Miami, dating back to his time with the Indiana Pacers.
Although, Friday was much different, as George shot 14-of-23 from the floor, including 10-of-16 from three-point range, and then exchanged jerseys with Dwayne Wade after the game, Wade will be retiring at the end of this season, and has been exchanging jerseys all season long. Another star that he could exchange fabrics with is Russell Westbrook, who recorded his fifth straight triple-double, and 18th overall this season with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists. Steven Adams chipped in 13 points for the Thunder, who have beat the Heat in six straight meetings.
The Thunder are now the second team to record separate win streaks of at least seven games, joining the Golden State Warriors of those that have done so this year. The Warriors have won eight and 11 games in a row this year. The Heat were led by Kelly Olynyk's 21 points, while Josh Richardson had 18 points, and Hassan Whiteside added 12 points and 16 rebounds. Despite all of that, the Heat fell to the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, as they move on to host the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. The Thunder will take their win streak in to a showdown with the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon.
Another streak that was extended in the NBA on Friday night was that of James Harden, who extended his 30-point streak to 25 games in a row by putting up exactly 30 points in Denver. He did that with a late three-pointer, but the Houston Rockets were blown out by the Denver Nuggets, 136-122, at the Pepsi Center. Malik Beasley led the charge with 35 points on 12-of-17 shooting for the Nuggets, who put up 83 points in the first half, which helped them jump ahead, and never trail after halftime on their home floor.
Harden got off to a hot start with 15 points in the first quarter, getting there by making five of his first six shots, although, he would get cold, which put his streak in jeopardy. The bearded star would go on to miss 10 of his next 11 shots, as well as four free throws in a down stretch. He connected on two three-pointers in the fourth, which pulled the Rockets within nine, but the Nuggets never let up, keeping them on top, despite Harden extending his streak. The Rockets did get 22 points from Torrey Craig, which set a career-high, and helped the Rockets score 43 points in a hot first quarter.
Nikola Jokic put up 31 points, including a crucial six in a row during the fourth for the Nuggets, who pulled in to a tie with the Golden State Warriors for the top spot in the Western Conference. Denver's hot quarter was the second, where they scored 48 points, and 35 in the final 7:31 of the half. That quickly turned a five-point deficit in to a 12-point lead by halftime. They led by as many as 20 points in the third quarter, and will move on to visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. The Rockets are also back at it on Saturday, visiting the Utah Jazz.
Although, Friday was much different, as George shot 14-of-23 from the floor, including 10-of-16 from three-point range, and then exchanged jerseys with Dwayne Wade after the game, Wade will be retiring at the end of this season, and has been exchanging jerseys all season long. Another star that he could exchange fabrics with is Russell Westbrook, who recorded his fifth straight triple-double, and 18th overall this season with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists. Steven Adams chipped in 13 points for the Thunder, who have beat the Heat in six straight meetings.
The Thunder are now the second team to record separate win streaks of at least seven games, joining the Golden State Warriors of those that have done so this year. The Warriors have won eight and 11 games in a row this year. The Heat were led by Kelly Olynyk's 21 points, while Josh Richardson had 18 points, and Hassan Whiteside added 12 points and 16 rebounds. Despite all of that, the Heat fell to the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, as they move on to host the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. The Thunder will take their win streak in to a showdown with the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon.
Another streak that was extended in the NBA on Friday night was that of James Harden, who extended his 30-point streak to 25 games in a row by putting up exactly 30 points in Denver. He did that with a late three-pointer, but the Houston Rockets were blown out by the Denver Nuggets, 136-122, at the Pepsi Center. Malik Beasley led the charge with 35 points on 12-of-17 shooting for the Nuggets, who put up 83 points in the first half, which helped them jump ahead, and never trail after halftime on their home floor.
Harden got off to a hot start with 15 points in the first quarter, getting there by making five of his first six shots, although, he would get cold, which put his streak in jeopardy. The bearded star would go on to miss 10 of his next 11 shots, as well as four free throws in a down stretch. He connected on two three-pointers in the fourth, which pulled the Rockets within nine, but the Nuggets never let up, keeping them on top, despite Harden extending his streak. The Rockets did get 22 points from Torrey Craig, which set a career-high, and helped the Rockets score 43 points in a hot first quarter.
Nikola Jokic put up 31 points, including a crucial six in a row during the fourth for the Nuggets, who pulled in to a tie with the Golden State Warriors for the top spot in the Western Conference. Denver's hot quarter was the second, where they scored 48 points, and 35 in the final 7:31 of the half. That quickly turned a five-point deficit in to a 12-point lead by halftime. They led by as many as 20 points in the third quarter, and will move on to visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. The Rockets are also back at it on Saturday, visiting the Utah Jazz.
