INSIDER
Young has 30 points, 14 assists as Hawks down Rockets 134-127
Read full article: Young has 30 points, 14 assists as Hawks down Rockets 134-127Trae Young had 30 points and 14 assists as the Atlanta Hawks withstood a late charge by the Houston Rockets to get a 134-127 victory Wednesday night, ending an 11-game home winning streak for the Rockets.
Jokic's triple-double lifts Nuggets past Rockets 134-124 in Murray's return
Read full article: Jokic's triple-double lifts Nuggets past Rockets 134-124 in Murray's returnNikola Jokic had 32 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds, Michael Porter Jr. scored a season-high 30 points and the Denver Nuggets rolled past the Houston Rockets 134-124 on Wednesday night in Jamal Murray’s return from a hamstring injury.
Rockets prevent Nuggets from clinching West with 124-103 win
Read full article: Rockets prevent Nuggets from clinching West with 124-103 winJalen Green scored 32 points, six others scored in double figures and the last-place Houston Rockets prevented the Denver Nuggets from clinching the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with a 124-103 victory in their home finale.
Nuggets beat Bucks 129-106 in clash of conference leaders
Read full article: Nuggets beat Bucks 129-106 in clash of conference leadersNikola Jokic had 31 points and 11 assists, Jamal Murray finished with 26 points and nine assists, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-106 in a matchup of the NBA's conference leaders.
Jokic, Nuggets outlast Suns 128-125 in OT; Booker sidelined
Read full article: Jokic, Nuggets outlast Suns 128-125 in OT; Booker sidelinedNikola Jokic had another monster triple-double, Aaron Gordon threw down a pivotal dunk that stood up after a review in overtime and the Denver Nuggets rallied for a 128-125 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night.
Murray, Jokic guide Nuggets to 120-100 rout of Rockets
Read full article: Murray, Jokic guide Nuggets to 120-100 rout of RocketsJamal Murray scored 26 points, Nikola Jokic had 10 of his 12 assists in the first half and the Denver Nuggets cruised past the Houston Rockets 120-100 for their fourth straight win.
Rare buzzer-beater helps outmanned Nuggets beat Mavs 98-97
Read full article: Rare buzzer-beater helps outmanned Nuggets beat Mavs 98-97Vlatko Cancar hit a buzzer-beater from near midcourt when the final 2 seconds of the first half were replayed after the break, and the outmanned Denver Nuggets went on to beat the Dallas Mavericks 98-97.
Paul's back, Suns clinch top seed with 140-130 win in Denver
Read full article: Paul's back, Suns clinch top seed with 140-130 win in DenverChris Paul returned from a broken right wrist to help the Phoenix Suns wrap up the top seed in the NBA playoffs with a 140-130 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.
Cousins leads in Jokic’s absence, Nuggets beat Rockets
Read full article: Cousins leads in Jokic’s absence, Nuggets beat RocketsDeMarcus Cousins, starting in place of ailing Nikola Jokic, scored a season-high 31 points and the Denver Nuggets bounced back from a loss to beat the struggling Houston Rockets 116-101 on Friday night.
Jokic, Campazzo help Nuggets to 124-111 rout of Rockets
Read full article: Jokic, Campazzo help Nuggets to 124-111 rout of RocketsNikola Jokic scored 24 points and Facundo Campazzo added a career-high 22 as the Denver Nuggets used a huge second quarter to take control in a 124-111 win over the Houston Rockets.
Suns win 12th straight with ease, roll past Nuggets 126-97
Read full article: Suns win 12th straight with ease, roll past Nuggets 126-97Cam Johnson scored a career-high 22 points, Deandre Ayton added 21 and the fast-starting Phoenix Suns ran their winning streak to 12, routing the short-handed Denver Nuggets 126-97 on Sunday night.
Jokic, Morris fracas mars Nuggets' 113-96 win over Heat
Read full article: Jokic, Morris fracas mars Nuggets' 113-96 win over HeatNikola Jokic had 25 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists before the NBA MVP was ejected for violently slamming his shoulder into Markieff Morris, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat 113-96 on Monday night.
Bucks bounce back to beat Nets 104-89 and force Game 7
Read full article: Bucks bounce back to beat Nets 104-89 and force Game 7Khris Middleton scored 38 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo added 30 and the Milwaukee Bucks never trailed in a 104-89 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday to force a decisive seventh game in their second-round playoff series.
Durant's sensational performance sends Nets to 3-2 lead
Read full article: Durant's sensational performance sends Nets to 3-2 leadKevin Durant had 49 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in one of the best performances in postseason history, sending the Brooklyn Nets back into the lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 114-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5.
Bucks tie series with 107-96 Game 4 win as Nets lose Irving
Read full article: Bucks tie series with 107-96 Game 4 win as Nets lose IrvingGiannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points and the Milwaukee Bucks rolled to a 107-96 Game 4 victory on Sunday to tie their second-round playoff series with the Brooklyn Nets.
Nets' Harden out, Green questionable for Game 4 at Milwaukee
Read full article: Nets' Harden out, Green questionable for Game 4 at MilwaukeeThe Brooklyn Nets again won’t have James Harden but could have forward Jeff Green back for Game 4 of their second-round playoff series with the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
Bucks blow big lead, then rally to edge Nets 86-83 in Game 3
Read full article: Bucks blow big lead, then rally to edge Nets 86-83 in Game 3Jrue Holiday made a go-ahead driving layup with 11.4 seconds left and the Milwaukee Bucks edged the Brooklyn Nets 86-83 in Game 3 after two blowout losses in New York.
Durant has 32, Nets up 2-0 after 125-86 blowout of Bucks
Read full article: Durant has 32, Nets up 2-0 after 125-86 blowout of BucksKevin Durant scored 32 points in three quarters of a top-to-bottom blowout that sent the Brooklyn Nets halfway to the Eastern Conference finals with a 125-86 rout of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Durant, Irving carry Nets in opener after Harden hurt
Read full article: Durant, Irving carry Nets in opener after Harden hurtKevin Durant scored 29 points, Kyrie Irving had 25 and the two superstars carried the Brooklyn Nets after James Harden’s early injury in a 115-107 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Nets get 7 3s from Harris, rout Celtics 130-108 for 2-0 lead
Read full article: Nets get 7 3s from Harris, rout Celtics 130-108 for 2-0 leadJoe Harris tied a franchise playoff record with seven 3-pointers, Kevin Durant scored 26 points and the Brooklyn Nets routed the Boston Celtics 130-108 for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Nets finally get Big 3 back together, beat Bulls 105-91
Read full article: Nets finally get Big 3 back together, beat Bulls 105-91Kyrie Irving scored 22 points while playing with Kevin Durant and James Harden for the first time in three months, leading the Brooklyn Nets to a 105-91 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
Bucks rally in 4th to beat Nets 124-118, clinch playoff spot
Read full article: Bucks rally in 4th to beat Nets 124-118, clinch playoff spotGiannis Antetokounmpo scored 36 points and the Milwaukee Bucks used a fourth-quarter rally to beat the Brooklyn Nets for the second time in three days, winning 124-118.
Durant scores 42, Nets torch depleted Pacers 130-113
Read full article: Durant scores 42, Nets torch depleted Pacers 130-113Kevin Durant scored a season-high 42 points, including 22 in the third quarter, and the Eastern Conference-leading Brooklyn Nets glided to a 130-113 victory over the struggling Indiana Pacers.
Nets back atop East after beating Celtics 109-104
Read full article: Nets back atop East after beating Celtics 109-104Kyrie Irving just missed a triple-double despite an awful shooting night, Joe Harris scored 20 points and the Brooklyn Nets regained first place in the Eastern Conference with a 109-104 victory over the Boston Celtics.
Irving scores 40, Nets lose Harden but beat Knicks 114-112
Read full article: Irving scores 40, Nets lose Harden but beat Knicks 114-112Kyrie Irving scored 40 points, Jeff Green made two free throws with 3.7 seconds left and the Brooklyn Nets overcome the early loss of James Harden to beat the New York Knicks 114-112.
Harden, Griffin help Nets hold off Pistons 113-111
Read full article: Harden, Griffin help Nets hold off Pistons 113-111Brooklyn Nets forward Blake Griffin (2) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Sekou Doumbouya during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 26, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)DETROIT – James Harden scored 44 points and Blake Griffin added 17 in his return to Detroit, lifting the Brooklyn Nets to a 113-111 victory over the Pistons on Friday night. Brooklyn was still without Kevin Durant (left hamstring strain) and Kyrie Irving (personal reasons), but the Nets had enough to hold off the last-place Pistons. Griffin spent three-plus years with the Pistons, but he reached a buyout agreement with Detroit earlier this month and went to the contending Nets. The Pistons went 34 for 47 on free throws.
Mavs end Nets' 8-game run as Porzingis returns, Irving sits
Read full article: Mavs end Nets' 8-game run as Porzingis returns, Irving sitsDallas Mavericks center Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots against Brooklyn Nets forward Jeff Green (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)NEW YORK – Luka Doncic scored 27 points, Kristaps Porzingis added 18 in his return from injury and the Dallas Mavericks snapped the Brooklyn Nets' eight-game winning streak with a 115-98 victory Saturday night. James Harden had 29 points for the Nets, but only four after halftime while playing as Brooklyn's solo superstar. Kevin Durant missed his seventh straight game with a left hamstring strain and Kyrie Irving rested his surgically repaired right shoulder. Dallas put it away with 12 straight points early in the fourth, making it 106-84 and soon after Harden was removed for good.
Nets hold on to edge Clippers, win season-best 6th in a row
Read full article: Nets hold on to edge Clippers, win season-best 6th in a rowBrooklyn Nets guard James Harden, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES – James Harden scored 37 points and the Brooklyn Nets held off a furious fourth-quarter rally to edge the Los Angeles Clippers 112-108 on Sunday night for their season-best sixth victory in a row. The Nets wrapped up a 5-0 trip, beating Golden State, Sacramento, Phoenix, and both Los Angeles teams to complete their longest undefeated single trip in franchise history. “Winning six in a row, all it does is keep the world silent for a bit,” Kyrie Irving said. Irving scored 12 points — matching his total from the first half — to send the Nets into the fourth leading 89-79.
Harden scores 38, Nets rally from 24 down, stun Suns 128-124
Read full article: Harden scores 38, Nets rally from 24 down, stun Suns 128-124Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden dishes around Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)PHOENIX – James Harden scored 38 points, Joe Harris added 22 and the Brooklyn Nets overcame a 24-point deficit to stun the Phoenix Suns 128-124 on Tuesday night. The Nets were playing without two of their three main stars, but Harden was more than up for the challenge against the Suns. Chris Paul scored 29 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough for the Suns. The 28-year-old Johnson spent the first half of last season with the Suns before being released in February.
Westbrook, Beal hit late 3s, Wizards stun Nets 149-146
Read full article: Westbrook, Beal hit late 3s, Wizards stun Nets 149-146(AP Photo/Nick Wass)WASHINGTON – Wizards coach Scott Brooks envisioned something like this when Washington acquired Russell Westbrook from Houston for John Wall and a draft pick. Bradley Beal and Westbrook hit 3-pointers in a wild 3.8-second sequence in the final seconds to help the Wizards stun Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets 149-146 on Sunday night. Westbrook had 41 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and NBA scoring leader Beal had 37 points. In the fourth quarter, Beal had 22 points and Westbrook had 15. “Russell willed this game,” Brooks said about Westbrook, who has only played in 10 of 16 games due to a quad injury.
Durant, Irving help Nets hold off Adebayo, Heat 128-124
Read full article: Durant, Irving help Nets hold off Adebayo, Heat 128-124Miami Heat's Gabe Vincent (2) defends against Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, in New York. Kevin Durant scored 31 points, Kyrie Irving took over late and had 28 and the Nets overcame Adebayo's career-high 41 points to beat the Miami Heat 128-124 on Saturday night. Irving helped pull the Nets through with 12 points in the final 5:48 after the Heat had erased nearly all of an 18-point deficit. Adebayo beat the buzzer with a jumper, than Miami opened the fourth with a 13-0 run to get within 96-95. Irving, Harden and Durant quickly combined for eight straight points but Adebayo kept coming, and the Nets needed a couple of clutch baskets from Irving and late free throws to pull it out.
Nets, without Irving and Durant, beat NBA-leading 76ers
Read full article: Nets, without Irving and Durant, beat NBA-leading 76ers(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK – Joe Harris scored a season-high 28 points and the Brooklyn Nets, playing without Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, beat the NBA-leading Philadelphia 76ers 122-109 on Thursday night. Caris LeVert had 22 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, and Jarrett Allen added 15 points and 11 boards for the Nets. The Nets already knew they’d be without Durant for a second consecutive game because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Irving, who grew up in New Jersey, missed the chance to wear the Nets' uniforms they wore while playing there. Nets; Brooklyn was also without G Tyler Johnson because of the health and safety protocols.
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.
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.
3 things to watch for in Thunder vs. Rockets Game 2
Read full article: 3 things to watch for in Thunder vs. Rockets Game 2HOUSTON After a commanding 123-108 win over the Thunder in Game 1, the Rockets look to continue that momentum Thursday afternoon for Game 2. Midseason acquisition Jeff Green added 22 points, and with him on the floor, the Rockets outscored the Thunder by 28 points. If the Rockets can continue to score by committee, they should easily cruise through Game 2 and take a 2-0 lead in the series. The BeardJames Harden had a game-high of 37 points and he posted his 20th career playoff game with 35 points or more. Harden also grabbed 11 rebounds in Game 1, which is huge because the Rockets are all-in on playing small.
Harden's 37 points lead Rockets past Thunder in Game 1
Read full article: Harden's 37 points lead Rockets past Thunder in Game 1Houston All-Star Russell Westbrook, who played his previous 11 years with the Thunder, was out with a quad injury. Jeff Green scored 22 points and Eric Gordon added 21 for Houston, which isn't sure how long it will be without Westbrook. Chris Paul, who joined the Oklahoma City in the trade that sent Westbrook to Houston, finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Gordon scored 16 points and Harden had 15 in the first half to help the Rockets take a 68-52 lead. Oklahoma City cut its deficit to 10 at one point in the third quarter, but the Rockets pulled away and led 104-83 heading into the fourth.
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.
Turner helps Indiana hold off Harden rally to beat Rockets
Read full article: Turner helps Indiana hold off Harden rally to beat RocketsThat's when Harden got Houston going, cutting it to 106-104 on with a driving basket with 27 seconds to go. But after Victor Olidipo missed a 3-pointer, Turner tipped out the rebound to Justin Holliday with six seconds left. ... Malcolm Brogdon, who had 12 points in Monday's loss to Miami, sat out against Houston with a sore neck. Rockets: Russell Westbrook was diagnosed with a strained quadriceps muscle in his right leg and will miss Friday's regular-season finale. Rockets: Play Philadelphia on Friday.
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.
OPINION: Rockets’ terrible shooting night leads to lopsided loss to the Clippers
Read full article: OPINION: Rockets’ terrible shooting night leads to lopsided loss to the ClippersThe Rockets dropped an important game to the Los Angeles Clippers, 120-105, Thursday night. He has been one of the best sources of energy on a Rockets team, who is 11-4 since switching to small ball. Rockets on National TVAt one point in the season, the Houston Rockets were far worse in nationally televised games than they were overall. Since the start of February, Houston is 7-2 in nationally televised games after starting 10-10. The team’s record in nationally televised games 17-12 (.586) is quite a bit worse than the team’s overall record (39-22, .639).