Rockets fight Clippers, clinch Southwest Department identify

[Cionels 0]

HOUSTON (AP)  James Harden scored 24 info, Eric Gordon further 23 and the Houston Rockets outlasted the Los Angeles Clippers for a 101-96 victory upon  night time. The Clippers scored 6 right information, with 4 in opposition to Austin Rivers, in direction of minimize the add in direction of a basket with a lot less than a instant still left.  Yet upon the subsequent ownership, Harden stepped back again and knocked down a lengthy 2-pointer with Rivers in just his deal with toward produce it 100-96. Rivers overlooked a 3-pointer the moment that in advance of Harden manufactured one particular of 2 absolutely free throws with 6. 2 seconds still left towards harmless the victory. It Houston 3rd immediately get and snaps a a few-match successful streak for the Clippers.  The victory, coupled with a reduction through the Pelicans toward the Spurs, wrapped up the Southwest Department identify for the Rockets. Tobias Harris led the Clippers with 29 specifics and Rivers experienced 20. Path BLAZERS 113, CAVALIERS 105PORTLAND, Ore.  (AP)  CJ McCollum scored 29 facts and Portland received its NBA-simplest 11th specifically sport with a victory more than Cleveland. Damian Lillard supplemental 24 information for the Blazers, upon their longest function due to the fact in addition profitable 11 inside a row in just 2013.  It was the Blazers 8th immediately acquire at dwelling. LeBron James experienced 35 details, such as a emphasize-reel dunk in just the initial quarter that experienced the supporters at the Moda Middle momentarily shocked.  He far too experienced 14 rebounds for his 6th instantly double-double.  Kyle Korver extra 19 info. RAPTORS 106, PACERS 99INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  DeMar DeRozan scored 24 facts, Jonas Valanciunas more 16 specifics and 17 rebounds, and Toronto rallied late in the direction of choose last Indiana for its 10th instantly victory. The Raptors require a person added earn in the direction of tie the franchise longest successful streak.  They havent misplaced due to the fact Feb.  23 and broke a tie with the 2016-17 squad for longest highway profitable streak, which is presently at 8. Yet it certain wasnt uncomplicated upon a night time Darren Collison scored 22 information and Al Jefferson experienced a time-large 20 for Indiana. SPURS 98, PELICANS 93SAN ANTONIO (AP)  LaMarcus Aldridge scored 25 specifics, Dejounte Murray experienced 18 information and 12 rebounds, and San Antonio overcame an additional late rally in direction of battle Contemporary Orleans. Fresh Orleans was participating in hrs immediately after mastering Pelicans operator Tom Benson experienced died.  Benson was hospitalized with the flu upon Feb.  16 and in no way recovered.  The 90-12 months-aged indigenous of San Antonio owned both equally the Pelicans and the Saints. Anthony Davis accomplished with 21 details and 14 rebounds, nevertheless fouled out soon after participating in 36 minutes.  Refreshing Orleans fell toward 6th inside the West. 76ERS 118, KNICKS 110Fresh YORK (AP)  Joel Embiid experienced 29 specifics and 10 rebounds, Ben Simmons accomplished with a triple-double, and Philadelphia  made use of a substantial past time period toward rally very last Contemporary York. The Sixers, who preserve the 6th location inside the Jap Convention playoff race, trailed through as innumerable as 13 specifics in just the 3rd quarter in advance of storming again in just the best period of time, heading upon a 20-6 function for the duration of the ultimate 5 minutes of law. Simmons completed with 13 facts, 12 helps and 10 rebounds. Michael Beasley experienced 24 info and 13 rebounds, and Courtney Lee and Trey Burke every single contributed 16 information for the Knicks, who comprise shed a period-large 9 directly online games and 17 of 18.  The Knicks previous gain arrived upon Feb.  22 at Orlando. NUGGETS 120, PISTONS 113DENVER (AP)  Nikola Jokic experienced 23 specifics, 12 rebounds and 10 helps for his 8th triple-double of the period, Jamal Murray extra 26 information and Denver playoff hopes acquired a considerably-demanded increase with a victory in excess of Detroit. Will Barton strike a significant basket down the extend and afterwards knocked down 2 cost-free throws in direction of assistance the Nuggets maintain off a Pistons personnel that trailed via as innumerable as 26 details inside the 3rd quarter.  The Nuggets at this time strike the highway for a pivotal 7-video game family vacation. The fading Pistons lost their 11th immediately highway video game inspite of Andre Drummond scoring 21 details and grabbing 17 rebounds.  Blake Griffin additional 26 details and 9 helps. Jokic 8 triple-doubles are the optimum as a result of a Nuggets participant within a time because Excess weight Lever experienced 9 within 1988-89. JAZZ 116, SUNS 88SALT LAKE Town (AP)  Donovan Mitchell scored 23 information and Rudy Gobert experienced 21 specifics and 13 rebounds in the direction of guide Utah around Phoenix, its 8th consecutive victory. Joe Ingles scored 17 facts, like 4 3-suggestions, and Jae Crowder additional 12 for the Jazz, who consist of gained 20 of their previous 22 online games. T. J.  Warren paced Phoenix with 19 details although Josh Jackson experienced 17 and Devin Booker experienced 12.  The Suns include missing 7 inside a row. Ricky Rubio experienced 12 information and 11 helps, and Dante Exum produced his 1st visual appearance of the time for the Jazz and accomplished with 10 specifics. HORNETS 129, HAWKS 117ATLANTA (AP)  Dwight Howard scored 20 of his period-large 33 specifics within the moment 50 %, Nicolas Batum experienced a triple-double and fastened a occupation significant with 16 can help, and Charlotte combat Atlanta. Kemba Walker more 24 facts and Marvin Williams experienced 17 for Charlotte, which stored its slender playoff hopes alive.  The Hornets started out the night time taking in missing 6 of 7 and ended up inside of 10th location inside of the Jap Meeting, 6  game titles guiding No.  8 Miami with 13 online games getting. Taurean Prince accomplished with 22 specifics and starter John Collins tied a job substantial with 21 for Atlanta, the worst employees within just the East at 20-49. BULLS 111, GRIZZLIES 110MEMPHIS, Tenn.  (AP)  Antonio Blakeney created 2 of 3 free of charge throws with 1. 8 seconds remaining as Chicago passed Memphis its 19th immediately decline. Upon the sport supreme perform, Memphis bought the ball in direction of Marc Gasol for a baseline fadeaway that was prolonged.  JaMychal Inexperienced tipped it within yet right after the horn, even though it looked toward be basket interference in any case Bulls Store. Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 20 specifics despite the fact that participating in simply just a few quarters, even though Bobby Portis scored 17.  Denzel Valentine experienced 15 details, moving 5 of 7 versus outdoors the arc. Tyreke Evans experienced 25 information and 9 can help for Memphis, despite the fact that Gasol additional 21 facts and 10 rebounds.  Jarell Martin scored 15 specifics and Eco-friendly accomplished with 15 information and 10 rebounds.