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Houston Rockets’ guard James Harden scores against Minnesota Timberwolves during their NBA game in Minneapolis Saturday. — AP [/caption]LOS ANGELES — James Harden scored 10 of his 28 points in overtime as the Houston Rockets rallied from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit Saturday to notch a 10th-straight NBA triumph, 111-109 over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis.
Harden handed out 13 assists with nine rebounds that left him one shy of a triple-double.
Forward Ryan Anderson scored 28 points and Eric Gordon provided his familiar spark off the bench with 20 as the Rockets stretched their December winning streak.
Anderson’s effort included seven three-pointers as the Rockets followed up their record-setting 24 three-pointers in a win at New Orleans Friday with 17 from beyond the arc against the Timberwolves.
But the hosts, led by Karl-Anthony Towns’ double-double of 41 points and 15 rebounds, appeared to be in control, leading 91-78 with 2:59 to play.
Houston’s Trevor Ariza then knotted the score with a three-pointer with 6.5 seconds remaining in regulation as Houston capped a 14-2 scoring run.
Harden scored seven points on the trot to open overtime — in which the reeling Timberwolves never led. “I’m so confident in this team,” Harden said. “I don’t ever see us out of a game. We score the ball so easily, so well.”
Thunder 114, Suns 101: Russell Westbrook collected his 13th triple-double of the season, and the 50th of his career, to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 114-101 home victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Just days after saying he was tired of hearing about triple-doubles, Westbrook poured in 26 points, 11 rebounds and 22 assists, a new career high. It is only the fifth time since 1983 that a player had a triple double and reached at least 20 points and 20 assists.
Center Steven Adams of New Zealand added 19 points as Oklahoma City broke a two game losing streak and raised its record to 16-11.
Cavaliers 119, Lakers 108: LeBron James scored 26 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, and Kyrie Irving had 21 points and matched his career high with 12 assists in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 119-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kevin Love had 27 points and a season-high 17 rebounds as all three of the Cavs’ stars returned with big games after coach Tyronn Lue rested them in Cleveland’s previous game Wednesday. Irving took a week off after complaining of tired legs.
Warriors 135, Trail Blazers 90: Kevin Durant scored 13 of his game-high 34 points in a first-quarter runaway, propelling the Golden State Warriors to a 135-90 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Draymond Green posted a 13-assist, 12-rebound double-double, helping Golden State improve its best-in-the-NBA record to 24-4.
The 45-point margin of victory was the Warriors’ largest of the season.
Pacers 105, Pistons 90: Paul George had 26 points and the Indiana Pacers took control late in the first half and rolled to a 105-90 win over the Detroit Pistons.
George also grabbed seven rebounds, while Pacers point guard Jeff Teague supplied 19 points, a career-high tying nine rebounds and seven assists for Indiana (14-14), which salvaged the finale of a three-game road trip.
Hornets 107, Hawks 99: Marvin Williams matched his season high with 19 points, including the game-clinching 3-pointer with 27.8 seconds left that lifted the Charlotte Hornets to a 107-99 win over the Atlanta Hawks and ended their four-game losing streak.
Atlanta twice erased a double-digit lead in the second half and led 95-94 with 3:50 remaining. But the Hornets regained the lead on Marco Belinelli’s third 3-pointer of the fourth quarter and Atlanta could never get closer than two points after that.
Nuggets 127, Knicks 114: Kenneth Faried had a season-high 25 points and three blocked shots, Emmanuel Mudiay scored 22, and the Denver Nuggets beat the New York Knicks 127-114.
Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 29 points.
Kristaps Porzingis scored 22 points and rookie Willy Hernangomez had a career-high 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks (14-13).
