ZCZC
BSP-05
BASKET-NBA
Rockets blast Blazers, Spurs eclipse Suns
LOS ANGELES, Dec 12, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – James Harden scored 29 points as the
Houston Rockets halted their three-game losing streak with a 111-103 victory
over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Reigning NBA MVP Harden also chipped in four assists on a night when seven
Rockets players finished in double digits.
Rockets point guard Chris Paul produced a triple double with 11 points, 11
rebounds and 10 assists as Houston improved to 12-14.
Mike D’Antoni’s side remain near the foot of the Western Conference, one
place off the bottom ahead of the Phoenix Suns, who are 4-24.
The Trail Blazers meanwhile slipped to 15-12 with the defeat, leaving them
in eighth place in the Western Conference table.
The Blazers led the scoring on Tuesday with Damian Lillard pouring in 34
points and C.J.McCollum adding 22.
But the Rockets’ scoring off the bench proved decisive for Houston, with
Nene, (10 points), Danuel House Jr (12) and Gerald Green (13) all
contributing.
In San Antonio, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich bagged his 1,211th career win,
putting him fourth on the list of career victories, after a 111-86 blowout
over the hapless Suns.
The victory took Popovich one game clear of Pat Riley, the five-time NBA
champion, who has 1,210 career wins.
Don Nelson leads the list of coaches with the most victories, with 1,335
wins ahead of Lenny Wilkens and Jerry Sloan.
Tuesday’s win lifted the Spurs to 14-14 for the season but they remain in
10th place in the Western standings, two places outside the playoffs.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1040 hrs