INSIDER
Timberwolves hang on, top undermanned 76ers 112-109
Read full article: Timberwolves hang on, top undermanned 76ers 112-109Anthony Edwards scored 25 points, D’Angelo Russell had 19 and the Minnesota Timberwolves survived a late scare and won their third straight game, 112-109 over the undermanned Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.
Joel Embiid, short-handed 76ers rally to beat Bucks 110-102
Read full article: Joel Embiid, short-handed 76ers rally to beat Bucks 110-102Joel Embiid had 32 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers overcame a 13-point deficit to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 110-102 on Friday night.
Healthy James Harden vows return to 'top of my game'
Read full article: Healthy James Harden vows return to 'top of my game'James Harden is vowing a return to his high-scoring form after battling a lingering hamstring injury that created rare doubt for the three-time NBA scoring champion over the last two seasons.
Rockets beat Harden, Nets 114-104 for 7th straight win
Read full article: Rockets beat Harden, Nets 114-104 for 7th straight winEric Gordon scored 21 points before being ejected in the fourth quarter and Garrison Mathews added 19 as the Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to seven games with a 114-104 victory over the shorthanded Brooklyn Nets.
Rockets beat Bulls 118-113 to end 15-game losing streak
Read full article: Rockets beat Bulls 118-113 to end 15-game losing streakDanuel House Jr. had 18 points, Christian Wood added 16 points and 10 rebounds and the Houston Rockets ended their losing streak at 15, beating the Chicago Bulls 118-113 on Wednesday night.
Grant has season-high 35 points, Pistons top Rockets 112-104
Read full article: Grant has season-high 35 points, Pistons top Rockets 112-104Jerami Grant scored a season-high 35 points to help the Detroit Pistons beat the Houston Rockets 112-104 on Wednesday night in a matchup of two of the worst teams in the NBA.
LeBron, Westbrook propel Lakers past Rockets again, 119-117
Read full article: LeBron, Westbrook propel Lakers past Rockets again, 119-117LeBron James scored 14 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, Russell Westbrook added 27 points and the Los Angeles Lakers swept back-to-back games against the Houston Rockets with a 119-117 victory.
Kuzma’s late basket gives Lakers victory over Rockets
Read full article: Kuzma’s late basket gives Lakers victory over RocketsKyle Kuzma’s driving layup with 6.9 seconds remaining gave the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers a 124-122 victory over the Houston Rockets and kept the defending NBA champions' slim hopes of avoiding the play-in tournament alive.
Houston Rockets beat Milwaukee Bucks 143-136
Read full article: Houston Rockets beat Milwaukee Bucks 143-136Kevin Porter Jr. scored a career-high 50 points, and the NBA-worst Houston Rockets beat the Milwaukee Bucks 143-136 after Giannis Antetokounmpo left less than a minute into the game with a sprained ankle.
Nets lose Harden but beat Rockets, move into first in East
Read full article: Nets lose Harden but beat Rockets, move into first in EastHouston Rockets' Kevin Porter Jr. (3) and Jae'Sean Tate (8) defend against Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK – Kyrie Irving had 31 points and a season-high 12 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets overcame the loss of James Harden to beat the Houston Rockets 120-108 on Wednesday night and move into first place in the Eastern Conference. Harden sat out the fourth quarter against his former team with right hamstring tightness, finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Rockets jumped to a 24-6 lead, with an 8-for-9 start that included makes on all five 3-point attempts. The Rockets listed the injury as a left knee effusion and it's unknown whether it will keep him out longer.
Towns scores 29 as TWolves come back to beat Rockets 107-101
Read full article: Towns scores 29 as TWolves come back to beat Rockets 107-101Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Nowell (4) shoots against Houston Rockets forward Sterling Brown (0) in the fourth quarter during an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)(AP) – Karl-Anthony Towns had 29 points and 16 rebounds, and Juancho Hernangomez had 19 points off the bench as the Minnesota Timberwolves came back to beat the Houston Rockets 107-101 on Friday night. Towns had 14 points during the final stretch as the Timberwolves won for the fourth time in 15 games under new coach Chris Finch. After being held to three points in the second and third quarters, Towns came back to pull Minnesota ahead. Carelessness crept in and Houston took advantage.
Rockets end skid at 20, Wall has 1st triple-double since ’16
Read full article: Rockets end skid at 20, Wall has 1st triple-double since ’16Houston Rockets' John Wall (1) drives on Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet (23) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 22, 2021, in Houston. But Wall had 19 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds, his first triple-double since March 17, 2016. The Rockets closed out the third quarter with an 88-86 lead and opened the fourth quarter on a 9-1 run to pull away. AdThe Raptors led 28-27 at the end of the first quarter. In their losing streak, Houston led after the first quarter only three times, including on Feb. 26 when they led the Raptors 31-30.
Warriors hand Rockets franchise-record 18th straight loss
Read full article: Warriors hand Rockets franchise-record 18th straight lossGolden State Warriors' Draymond Green keeps the ball from Houston Rockets' Danuel House Jr. during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in Houston. (Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo via AP)(AP) – Draymond Green had 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists and the Golden State Warriors handed the Houston Rockets their franchise-record 18th straight loss, 108-94 on Wednesday night. Golden State breezed past the struggling Rockets to snap a season-high four-game road losing streak. It’s the first time the Rockets have lost nine consecutive home games since they dropped 11 straight in 1983. Poole led Golden State in the second, making 15 points and hitting 4 of 6 3-point attempts.
Fox scores 30, Kings hand Rockets 14th straight loss 125-105
Read full article: Fox scores 30, Kings hand Rockets 14th straight loss 125-105NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)SACRAMENTO, Calif. – De’Aaron Fox had 30 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and the Sacramento Kings sent the Houston Rockets to their 14th consecutive loss, 125-105 on Thursday night. Sacramento never trailed after a 15-0 run early in the second quarter. … Center Justin Patton picked up his fourth foul with 6:47 left in the second quarter. … Sacramento was called for two shot clock violations in the second quarter.
James Harden has triple-double in Houston return, Nets roll
Read full article: James Harden has triple-double in Houston return, Nets rollBrooklyn Nets' James Harden drives to basket for a layup past Houston Rockets' Ben McLemore, left, during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Houston. 13 on his jersey, James Harden won so many games for the Houston Rockets. 13 had a triple-double for the Brooklyn Nets to send the reeling Rockets to their 13th straight loss. But the Nets scored the next eight points, with two 3s from Harden, to extend it to 113-97 midway through the quarter. Rockets: Eric Gordon missed a second straight game with a sore left knee.
DeRozan has 30 as Spurs hold on for 111-106 win over Rockets
Read full article: DeRozan has 30 as Spurs hold on for 111-106 win over RocketsSan Antonio Spurs forward DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the basket in front of Houston Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)(AP) – DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points and the San Antonio Spurs held off a late charge from the Houston Rockets for a 111-106 victory Saturday night. John Wall made a layup for Houston with less than 30 seconds left, but Patty Mills hit two free throws for San Antonio to extend it to 109-104. Tucker made two free throws for Houston after that, but Rudy Gay made two for San Antonio to secure the victory. A 3-pointer by David Nwaba got Houston within eight in the third, but the Spurs scored the next five points to push it to 82-69.
Rockets beat Trail Blazers 104-101
Read full article: Rockets beat Trail Blazers 104-101Houston Rockets' John Wall reacts during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, in Houston. (Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo via AP)(AP) – Victor Oladipo scored 25 points and the Houston Rockets shook off a terrible first quarter and held on late to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 104-101 on Thursday night. The Rockets got going after that, scoring the next six points, with a 3 from Oladipo, to make it 92-88. The Trail Blazers had a one-point lead before a 4-0 spurt by the Rockets gave Houston a 99-96 lead with less than two minutes to go. TIP-INSTrail Blazers: Carmelo Anthony had just six points after scoring a season-high 22 points in the last game.
Wall scores 24 to lead Rockets over Wizards 107-88
Read full article: Wall scores 24 to lead Rockets over Wizards 107-88Houston Rockets' John Wall reacts during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, in Houston. (Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo via AP)HOUSTON – John Wall scored 24 points in his first game against his former team, leading the Houston Rockets to a 107-88 victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. He cooled off in the third, but got going again in the fourth to put the game away in his second game back after missing five with a sore left knee. Houston was leading by six when Wall re-entered the game with about seven minutes left. The Wizards called a timeout after that, and Wall yelled and jumped as he looked at the opposing bench before bounding back to the Houston side.
LeBron James scores 26 as Lakers roll over Rockets 117-100
Read full article: LeBron James scores 26 as Lakers roll over Rockets 117-100HOUSTON – LeBron James scored 26 points in just more than three quarters and the Los Angeles Lakers never trailed in a 117-100 rout of the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night. Anthony Davis added 19 points and 10 rebounds in three quarters to help the Lakers to their second straight blowout over the Rockets after a 120-102 victory Sunday night. Los Angeles led by 20 or more for most of the game on a night James Harden made just 5 of 16 shots and the Rockets were outrebounded 55-42. “We’ve got a common goal to compete every night, to play championship basketball and be accountable," James said. UP NEXTLakers: Visit Oklahoma City on Wednesday night before returning home for two games beginning on Saturday night against New Orleans.
Mavericks use big 4th-quarter run to beat Rockets 113-100
Read full article: Mavericks use big 4th-quarter run to beat Rockets 113-100Dallas was on top by 3 with about seven minutes remaining before using a 14-3 spurt, with seven points from Hardaway, to extend the lead to 106-92 with about 2½ minutes remaining. Carlisle was impressed that his team was able to slow Harden down and limit the Rockets to just 100 points. The Mavericks led by seven points to start the fourth before Houston opened the quarter with an 8-1 run to tie it with about 10 minutes remaining. The Mavericks finally ended a scoring drought with a 3-pointer by Hardaway with less than three minutes left in the quarter. But Doncic scored the last four points of the quarter to put the Mavericks up 84-77 entering the fourth.
Rockets look for new coach after another early playoff exit
Read full article: Rockets look for new coach after another early playoff exitInstead, they suffered another early playoff exit and must find a coach after Mike D’Antoni told them he wouldn’t return after he and management couldn’t agree on a new contract. The Rockets went all in on their small lineup when they traded center Clint Capela to Atlanta in February. So that’s on us.”Along with Westbrook’s struggles, the Rockets were also slowed against the Lakers because of the absence of Danuel House. But the Rockets can’t worry about what might have been, and Harden is already looking ahead. The 31-year-old is focused on trying to lead the Rockets to their first championship since they won back-to-back titles in 1994-95.
Welcome back: Lakers, LeBron headed to the conference finals
Read full article: Welcome back: Lakers, LeBron headed to the conference finalsJames scored 29 points and the Lakers wrapped up their first trip to the Western Conference finals since 2010 by topping the Houston Rockets 119-96 on Saturday night in Game 5 at Walt Disney World. Kyle Kuzma scored 17 points, Markieff Morris had 16, Danny Green added 14 and Anthony Davis finished with 13 for the top-seeded Lakers. James is going to the conference finals for the 11th time overall — six with Cleveland, four with Miami and now with the Lakers. The Lakers scored the next 15 points, and the lead was 95-69 going into the final quarter. Lakers: Los Angeles went seven years without a conference-final appearance from 1991 through 1998, the team's longest drought before this 10-year run.
Rockets face blowout to Lakers, 96-119, ending NBA Championship chances
Read full article: Rockets face blowout to Lakers, 96-119, ending NBA Championship chancesThe Los Angeles Lakers are going to the conference finals for the first time in a decade, ending the longest drought in franchise history. Kyle Kuzma scored 17 points, Markieff Morris had 16, Danny Green added 14 and Anthony Davis finished with 13 for the top-seeded Lakers. James Harden scored 30 points, Jeff Green scored 13 and Russell Westbrook had 10 for Houston. The Lakers ran out to a 33-11 lead, though Houston came right back with a 17-2 run to get within seven. The Lakers scored the next 15 points, and the lead was 95-69 going into the final quarter.
Rockets forward kicked out NBA Bubble after health and safety violation
Read full article: Rockets forward kicked out NBA Bubble after health and safety violation(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)HOUSTON – Rockets forward Danuel House is out for the rest of the NBA season after a league investigation found he violated health and safety protocols. House will leave the bubble. According to the NBA, House had an unauthorized guest in his hotel room on Sept. 8. House missed Games 3 and 4 due to “personal reasons.”
Davis, Lakers run past Rockets for 3-1 West semifinals lead
Read full article: Davis, Lakers run past Rockets for 3-1 West semifinals leadLos Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis (3) and P.J. James had 16 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, who outrebounded the Rockets 52-26. Russell Westbrook had 25 points and James Harden had 21 for the Rockets, who got 19 from Eric Gordon and 14 from Austin Rivers. It was 57-41 Lakers at the break, meaning Houston had scored 79 points in its last 48 minutes of basketball. Rockets: Houston is one of the franchises that has overcome a 3-1 deficit, doing so against the Clippers in the second round of the 2015 playoffs.
LeBron, Rondo spark Lakers to 112-102 victory over Rockets
Read full article: LeBron, Rondo spark Lakers to 112-102 victory over RocketsRondo had 21 points and nine assists as the Lakers broke open a close game in the final period. He scored eight straight points during a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter that put the Lakers ahead for good. Rondo assisted on a layup by James that put the Lakers ahead with about 10 minutes remaining. Rondo then hit a 3-pointer to give the Lakers an 89-85 advantage, their largest lead to that point. The Lakers blew a 21-point lead in Game 2 but outscored Houston by 10 in the fourth quarter to win 117-109.
Schroder scores 30; Thunder top Rockets to even series
Read full article: Schroder scores 30; Thunder top Rockets to even seriesEric Gordon scored 23 points and Danuel House added 21 for the Rockets, who won the first two games of the series. The Thunder shot 47.8% and the Rockets 47.7% before the break. The Rockets led 93-80 before Schroder made a 3-pointer and Houston's Austin Rivers was called for a foul away from the shot. Schroder hot a deep 3-pointer at the buzzer, and the Oklahoma City climbed within 93-92 at the end of the third. Thunder: Shot 61% in the first quarter.
Spurs keep playoff hopes alive with 123-105 win over Rockets
Read full article: Spurs keep playoff hopes alive with 123-105 win over RocketsKeldon Johnson had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and San Antonio kept alive its chances of becoming the first team in NBA history to make 23 consecutive playoff appearances with a 123-105 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday. San Antonio has won three straight and five out of seven since arriving in the Florida bubble. A total of seven Spurs reached double figures. San Antonio built a 19-point lead in the first half. WIN-WINRegardless of whether the Spurs make the playoffs, Popovich is proud of how his young players have stepped up in during their time in the bubble.
Lillard, Anthony help Blazers over Rockets, 110-102
Read full article: Lillard, Anthony help Blazers over Rockets, 110-102LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. Damian Lillard scored 21 points and Carmelo Anthony hit a big 3-pointer late to help the Portland Trail Blazers to a 110-102 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night. The Blazers were up by six midway through the final quarter after CJ McCollum and Lillard made consecutive baskets. Lillard had a three-point play and then sank 3s on consecutive possessions to allow the Trail Blazers to build the lead. Trail Blazers: Trent had 16 points and made four 3s. Trail Blazers: Play Denver on Thursday.