Streaking Spurs pummel Mavericks

LOS ANGELES — LaMarcus Aldridge scored 23 points, 13 of them in a pivotal third quarter, to help San Antonio whip the Dallas Mavericks 112-83 Sunday and stay undefeated at home this season. The Spurs (36-6), who have now won 11 straight, improved to 24-0 at home this season, the best start by a Western Conference team since Portland won their initial 26 home games in 1977-78. The Golden State Warriors are 19-0 at home this season. “In the first half, we took more jump shots than usual, so I was just trying to be on the block and be more aggressive,” Aldridge said. “I am feeling more comfortable in my role in this offense and we are getting better and better.” The Spurs extended their regular-season home victory streak to 33 games, dating back to an overtime loss to Cleveland last March. They also tied their best start in franchise history after 42 games. San Antonio got 16 points from reserve forward Boris Diaw and 15 from Kawhi Leonard, who did not play in the fourth quarter. Jonathon Simmons added 14 points for the Spurs. Spurs’ starters Tim Duncan and Tony Parker scored just two points each, with Parker going 0-for-4 from the floor. He left the game midway through the third quarter with soreness in his right hip and did not return. The Mavericks (23-19) were led by Dwight Powell’s 15 points and got 12 from Wesley Matthews. Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki had just four points, his lowest output in a game since Feb. 29, 2012, when he scored one at Memphis. Rockets 112, Lakers 95: James Harden scored 21 of his 31 points in the first half, leading the Houston Rockets to a 112-95 rout of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Harden, who played 27 minutes and was rested in the fourth quarter, connected on 10 of 17 shots from the floor and made four of seven from three-point range. Timberwolves 117, Suns 87: The Minnesota Timberwolves won for the first time in 2016, beating the Phoenix Suns 117-87 at Target Center. Andrew Wiggins had 18 points on eight-of-13 shooting as Minnesota snapped a nine-game losing streak and won for the first time since a 94-80 victory over the Utah Jazz on Dec. 30. The 30-point margin of victory was the largest for the Wolves this season. Thunder 99, Heat 74: Kevin Durant scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 99-74 victory over the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Russell Westbrook racked up back-to-back triple doubles with 13 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds while Serge Ibaka added 19 points and seven boards as the Thunder improved to 30-12. Nuggets 129, Pacers 126: Randy Foye scored four points in the final 21 seconds, including a tiebreaking three-pointer, as the Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Indiana Pacers 129-126. Danilo Gallinari led the Nuggets (16-25) with 23 points before fouling out with 3:39 left. Will Barton scored 15 of his 21 in the fourth quarter, and Gary Harris had 20. Rookie center Nikola Jokic scored 18. — Agencies