NEW YORK: Guard James Harden had 39 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and helped salt away the Houston Rockets’ first win over the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, a 111-107 victory that enabled Houston to clinch a post-season berth.
The Rockets (50-25) seemed to take control with an 11-2 push midway through the fourth quarter, with reserve swingman Francisco Garcia hitting a three-pointer for a 104-98 lead with 2:42 remaining.
Despite the loss, Kevin Durant finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds, his 40th consecutive 25-plus-point game, matching Michael Jordan for the longest such streak in the last 50 years.
The New York Knicks desperately needed a win to keep pace in the play-off race, but the Washington Wizards had other ideas in a last-second 90-89 victory.
The Wizards (40-36) already clinched a play-off berth for the first time since 2008 with a win in its previous game and did all they could to make sure the Knicks (33-44) fell in the standings after briefly holding on to the eighth and final play-off seed after Wednesday night’s win.
Washington was led by shooting guard Bradley Beal, who had 28 points, and point guard John Wall, who had 19 points and nine assists, including 11 points and five assists in the first half.
Beal made a 15-foot jumper with 22.9 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Wizards a 90-89 lead.
Carmelo Anthony had a chance for the win in the waning seconds after Beal’s basket, but he lost control of the ball, leaving JR Smith to heave a desperation three-pointer at the horn that was off the mark.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, despite being out of the play-off hunt, battled mightily and snapped the Miami Heat’s four-game win streak, earning a 122-121 double-overtime win.
Minnesota forward Corey Brewer, who drew a foul on Heat guard Norris Cole, made one of two free throws with 1.8 seconds left in double overtime to win the game.
Heat guard Ray Allen missed a shot at the buzzer to end it. Wolves forward Kevin Love had 28 points and 11 rebounds while Heat forward LeBron James finished with 34 points.
Toronto centre Jonas Valanciuanas and guard Terrence Ross led the Raptors to a 102-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Ross finished with a team-high 24 points and Valanciunas had 22.
Toronto used a late run to pull away to its fifth victory in six games.
Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan had 20 points and guard Nando De Colo added 10 off the bench.
The loss stretched Indiana’s season-worst road losing streak to six games. Indiana has now lost nine of 11 away from home.
Guard Paul George had game-high 26 points for the Pacers.
Al Jefferson had 29 points and 16 rebounds and Kemba Walker notched a triple-double as the Charlotte Bobcats beat the Orlando Magic, reducing their magic number to two as they look to clinch a play-off spot for the second time in franchise history.
The Bobcats (38-38) started pulling away midway through the second quarter and led 53-36 at halftime before pushing the lead to as many as 21 points in the second half.
It marked the first time that the Bobcats have been at .500 since opening the season 5-5 through 10 games. Walker finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
REUTERS
