Lebron, Rondo keep Lakers on stream
CHICAGO – James Harden scored 25 points, including 11 in a decisive run in the third quarter, in his return to the Houston lineup and the Rockets defeated the Chicago Bulls 96-88 on Saturday night in the National Basketball Association.
Harden, who had missed three games with a strained left hamstring, scored 11 straight points in a 1:59 span of the third as the Rockets went on a 15-0 run.
Carmelo Anthony had 17 points and James Ennis added 15 as the Rockets won their second game in two nights after starting the season 1-5.
Chicago led 59-58 midway through the third quarter before the Rockets and Harden went ahead for good, outscoring the Bulls 21-7 in the period.
Zach LaVine led Chicago with 21 points, and Wendell Carter Jr. had 14 points and 13 rebounds. Jabari Parker added 15 points as the Bulls lost their fourth straight game – going 0-4 in the homestand – and dropped their fifth straight to the Rockets.
In Portland, LeBron James had 28 points and seven assists and Los Angeles topped Portland, 114-110.
Rajon Rondo gave the Lakers a huge lift off the bench, finishing with 17 points and 10 assists in 25 minutes.
Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum each scored 30 points for Portland.
Portland shot a 6 for 35 (17 percent) from beyond the arc.
The Lakers had seven turnovers in the fourth quarter and finished with 20 overall, but they survived their mistakes.
In Indianapolis, Victor Oladipo connected on a 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds remaining to lift Indiana past Boston, 102-101.
Oladipo finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Tyreke Evans added 17 points for the Pacers, who shot 41 percent (36 for 87).
Marcus Morris had a team-high 23 points and six rebounds for the Celtics, who shot 43 percent (38 for 88) and had their four-game winning streak snapped.
In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid scored 32 of his 39 points in a dominating first half and had 17 rebounds to lead Philadelphia over Detriot 109-99.
Embiid made 10 of 18 field goals and 18 of 23 free throws to help Philadelphia improve to 6-0 at home.
Elsewhere, it was Hornets 126, Cavaliers 94; Hawks 123, Heat 118; Spurs 109, Pelicans 95; Nuggets 103, Jazz 88.
source: philstar.com
