NBA: Bench boosts Rockets past Blazers

James Harden scored a team-high 29 points, but it was a maligned group of reserves who helped carry the host Houston Rockets to a come-from-behind, 111-103 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

Following a change in their starting lineup, with guard Eric Gordon replacing James Ennis, the Rockets received 37 points from their bench. Gerald Green (13 points), Danuel House Jr. (12) and Nene (10) all scored in double figures to help Houston snap a three-game skid.

The Rockets' four-man bench shot 15 of 22 from the floor, and with Houston trailing, 78-75, late in the third quarter, keyed a 25-5 run that stretched into the fourth. Green and House were instrumental during that stretch as the Rockets built a 100-83 lead before Portland rallied.

The Trail Blazers clawed within 102-97 on a pair of free throws by Jusuf Nurkic (15 points, 10 rebounds) with 2:56 remaining before Gordon (14 points) responded with a driving layup that beat the shot clock.

Rockets guard Chris Paul (11 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) sealed the win at the free-throw line as Portland took its fifth consecutive road loss. 

Damian Lillard paced the Trail Blazers with 34 points, while CJ McCollum chipped in 22.

The Trail Blazers bludgeoned Houston on the offensive glass in the first quarter, parlaying six offensive rebounds into eight second-chance points and an early 15-point advantage.

Nurkic and Al-Farouq Aminu (10 points, 15 boards) combined for five of those offensive boards, effectively undermining the Rockets' defensive effort. When Evan Turner corralled a McCollum miss and converted a layup at the 4:04 mark, Portland led, 27-12. Suddenly, the Rockets' reserves arrived en masse.

While Harden and Gordon ignited a 15-2 run, Nene, Green, and House kept the fire going. When House followed a Green 3-pointer with two free throws at the 8:14 mark of the second, the Rockets led, 36-33.

Portland, with Nurkic dominating the paint, reclaimed its lead, but the Rockets discovered the moxie needed to remain in contention before mounting another run.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Lakers lose again despite Kobe's 39 points

Gerald Green came off the bench to score 26 points, and Markieff Morris added 23 points and 10 rebounds as Phoenix beat Los Angeles.

The Lakers, who are 0-5, are off to their worst start since the club moved to Los Angeles for the 1960-61 season.

Phoenix reserve Isaiah Thomas had 22 points and nine assists.

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 39 points with nine rebounds. Point guard Jeremy Lin finished with 18 points, while center Jordan Hill had 15 points and 15 rebounds.

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Trail Blazers 101, Cavaliers 82

Withstanding a white-hot Cleveland start, the Portland rolled to a victory.

Guard Damian Lillard produced a game-high 27 points plus seven assists and six rebounds to lead the Trail Blazers.

Portland also got 21 points and six rebounds from guard Wesley Matthews. Center Robin Lopez added 19 points on 8-for-11 shooting to go with six rebounds.

Forward Kevin Love collected 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

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Pelicans 100, Hornets 91

Forward Anthony Davis scored 12 of his game-high 24 points in the third quarter, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked three shots to lead New Orleans past Charlotte.

After entering the game tied for last in the NBA in field-goal percentage at 39.1 percent, the Pelicans had their best-shooting game of the early season, converting 38 of 81 from the floor for 46.9 pct.

Davis made four mid-range jumpers to go along with a one-handed, alley-oop dunk in a 26-17 third quarter, as the Pelicans turned a 48-47 halftime deficit into a 73-65 lead.

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Wizards 98, Knicks 83

Forward Paul Pierce scored 17 points as Washington rode a dominating third quarter to a victory over New York.

Shooting guard Garrett Temple continued to provide a spark for the Wizards in place of injured Bradley Beal by adding 17 points. Backup forward Kevin Seraphin chipped in 15, while reserve guard Andre Miller added 12.

Guard Iman Shumpert led the Knicks with 19 points. Forward Carmelo Anthony added 18 points, but was 8-of-23 from the floor and committed seven turnovers.

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Bucks 87, Pacers 81

Milwaukee ended their 16-game road losing streak with a win over Indiana.

Point guard Brandon Knight's 20-foot jumper with 22.3 seconds remaining extended the Bucks' lead to five points.

Knight finished with a game-best 23 points, and added seven rebounds. Forward Chris Copeland led Indiana with 19 points, 18 during the final half.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com