NBA Round-Up: March 2, 2015
In what became a virtual endgame duel between the MVP candidates of Houston and Cleveland, it was James Harden who prevailed and led the Rockets to a 105-103 heart-thumping overtime victory over the Cavaliers at Toyota Center.
Harden scored 33 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out five assists and shot 15-of-18 from the free throw line to lead Houston to a 41-13 standing while sweeping a five-game home stand. Terrence Jones shot 6-of-10 to finish with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Donatas Motiejunas added 19 points and Patrick Beverley helped with 12 points, five boards and five assists.
James, who rested Cleveland’s loss to Indiana in their last game, had 37 points but missed two crucial free-throws in overtime. He shot 15-of-35, including a poor 3-of-11 in the fourth quarter and in the added time. He was also 3-of-11 from the charity stripe.
The four-time MVP also had eight boards and four helpers for the Cavaliers, who got a quiet 21 points and six rebounds from Kevin Love. Tristan Thompson added 14 points off the bench for Cleveland, as well as a career-high 19 rebounds.
With his team down by two late in overtime, James drove hard into the paint and successfully fished a foul off Houston’s Josh Smith, but James missed the ensuing freebies. Harden was then fouled on the next play and sealed the win with a split of his attempts from the line.
Cleveland, whose 10-game winning streak against Western teams was snapped, had a chance to win the game in the payoff period but James’ last second attempt clanked off the rim.
In other news, Chris Paul had 28 points and 12 assists, while DeAndre Jordan had nine points and 26 rebounds as Los Angeles Clippers eked out a 96-86 victory over Chicago at United Center.
Paul missed all of his four three-point attempts but shot 12-of-19 from the field, while Jamal Crawford added 16 points, all scored in the second half, for the Clippers. Jordan, who hauled at least 15 rebounds in his last eight games, had 17 rebounds at the half and blocked two shots.
LAC, who won for the fifth consecutive time at United Center, jumped to a manageable lead early in the game but trailed midway through the second half as the hosts controlled the rebounding game. But the Clippers fought back in the fourth, and never trailed again after Crawford put them ahead 78-76 with a trey.
Nikola Mirotic shot 11-of-23 from the floor and had a career-high 29 points for Chicago, who was missing crucial guys like Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler, who left the game after injuring an elbow.
The Clippers locked down the Bulls to a 31% shooting, and held down Bulls’ star forward Pau Gasol to just four points on 2-of-13 shooting.
At TD Garden, Stephen Curry scored 37 points as Golden State climbed from a 26-point hole and ousted Boston 106-101 for their seventh win in their last nine games.
Curry made 14 of his 22 attempts, including five of his eight shots from the arc for the Warriors, who got 20 points from Klay Thompson and 17 markers from Harrison Barnes. Draymond Green shot poorly but scored 14 and had 11 rebounds.
Six Celtics scored in double figures in the loss, as Isaiah Thomas scored 20 points and Tyler Zeller added 17. Brandon Bass had 15 markers and Avery Bradley 12, while Evan Turner and Marcus Smart each added 10.
In other news, Serge Ibaka and Enes Kanter combined for 34 points and 29 rebounds to lead Oklahoma City over Los Angeles Lakers 108-101 at Staples Center.
Ibaka scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, while Kanter had 16 points and 15 boards and D.J. Augustin added 18 markers, nine rebounds and five assists as the Thunder logged their 10th win in their last 13 games.
Jeremy Lin scored 20 points, dished out eight helpers and grabbed six rebounds for the Lakers, whose three-game winning streak got snapped in the loss. Jordan Hill added 14 markers off the bench, while Wayne Ellington and Jordan Clarkson added 12 points each.
In other games, Indiana Pacers dominated Philadelphia 76ers 94-74, and Charlotte Bobcats routed Orlando Magic 98-83.
Portland Trailblazers thrashed Sacramento Kings 110-99 and New Orleans Pelicans escaped Denver Nuggets 99-92.
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