NBA scores,updates,news and rumors . . .

[kingjames24szupladoh]

Sunday , December 15 Schedule : 8 games
L.A. Lakers at Charlotte - 7 pm ET, 4 pm PT

L.A. Clippers at Washington - 7 pm ET, 4 pm PT

Cleveland at Miami - 7:30 pm ET, 4:30 pm PT on NBATV

Atlanta at New York - 7:30 pm ET, 4:30 pm PT

Toronto at Chicago - 8 pm ET, 5 pm PT

Portland at Philadelphia - 8 pm ET, 5 pm PT

Milwaukee at Dallas - 8:30 pm ET, 5:30 pm PT

San Antonio at Utah - 9 pm ET, 6 pm PT

[kingjames24szupladoh]

Daily Injury Updates :


L.A. LAKERS at CHARLOTTE :
LAL – Steve Blake (elbow) will not play.
LAL – Steve Nash (back) will not play.
LAL – Jordan Farmar (hamstring) will not play.
CHA – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (hand) will not play.
CHA – Brendan Haywood (foot) will not play.

L.A. CLIPPERS at WASHINGTON :
LAC - J.J. Redick (hand) will not play.
LAC - Matt Barnes (eye) will not play.
LAC - Reggie Bullock (ankle) will not play.
LAC - Maalik Wayns (knee) will not play.
WSH – Bradley Beal (leg) will not play.
WSH – Nene (foot/leg Achilles) will not play.
WSH – Al Harrington (knee) will not play.

CLEVELAND at MIAMI :
CLE – Tyler Zeller (ankle) will not play.
MIA – Michael Beasley (hamstring) will not play.

ATLANTA at NEW YORK :
ATL – Gustavo Ayon (ankle) unlikely to play.
NYK – Tyson Chandler (leg) will not play.
NYK – Raymond Felton (hamstring) will not play.
NYK – Kenyon Martin (abdominal) will not play.

TORONTO at CHICAGO :
CHI – Luol Deng (Achilles) will play tonight.
CHI – Kirk Hinrich (back) will not play.
CHI – Derrick Rose (knee) will not play.

PORTLAND at PHILADELPHIA :
POR – C.J. McCollum (foot) will not play.
PHI – Michael Carter-Williams (knee) will not play.
PHI – Jason Richardson (knee) will not play.
PHI – Arnett Moultrie (ankle) will not play.
PHI – Nerlens Noel (knee) will not play.

MILWAUKEE at DALLAS :
MIL – Caron Butler (knee) will not play.
MIL – Zaza Pachulia (foot) will not play.
MIL – Larry Sanders (thumb) will not play.
MIL – Carlos Delfino (foot) will not play.
DAL – Brandan Wright (shoulder) will play tonight.
DAL – Devin Harris (toe) will not play.
DAL – Dirk Nowitzki (illness) will not play.

SAN ANTONIO at UTAH :
SAS – Tiago Splitter (calf) questionable.
SAS – Aron Baynes (ankle) questionable.

[kingjames24szupladoh]

December 15, Final Scores/Leaders :

Lakers – 88 Bobcats – 85
Bryant: 21 Pts. Bryant: 8 Asts. Hill: 9 Rebs./Walker: 24 Pts. Walker: 8 Asts. Jefferson: 9 Rebs.

Clippers – 113 Wizards – 97
Paul: 38 Pts. Paul: 12 Asts. Jordan: 10 Rebs./Wall: 24 Pts. Wall: 12 Asts. Booker: 7 Rebs.

Cavaliers – 107 Heat – 114
Irving: 19 Pts. Jack: 4 Asts. Varejao: 8 Rebs./James: 25 Pts. James: 9 Asts. Bosh: 12 Rebs.

Hawks – 106 Knicks – 111
Williams: 27 Pts. Teague: 6 Asts. Millsap: 8 Rebs./Anthony: 35 Pts. Prigioni: 6 Asts. Anthony: 6 Rebs.

Raptors – 99 Bulls – 77
Lowry: 16 Pts. Lowry: 6 Asts. Valanciunas: 11 Rebs./Deng: 17 Pts. Augustin: 6 Asts. Noah: 12 Rebs.

Blazers – 139 Sixers – 105
Aldridge: 20 Pts. Batum: 9 Asts. Aldridge: 16 Rebs./Wroten: 18 Pts. Wroten: 7 Asts. Allen: 8 Rebs.

Bucks – 93 Mavericks – 106
Henson: 18 Pts. Antetokounmpo: 4 Asts. Henson: 13 Rebs./Wright: 19 Pts. Carter: 9 Asts. Marion: 12 Rebs.

Spurs – 100 Jazz – 84
Duncan: 22 Pts. Parker: 7 Asts. Duncan: 12 Rebs./Burke: 20 Pts. Hayward: 5 Asts. Evans: 11 Rebs.




STANDINGS:

West:
1. BLAZERS 20-4
2. SPURS 19-4
3. Thunder 18-4
4. CLIPPERS 16-9
5. Rockets 16-8
6. Suns 13-9
7. Nuggets 13-9
8. Mavericks 14-10
9. Warriors 13-11
10. Pelicans 11-10
11. Timberwolves 11-12
12. Lakers 11-12
13. Grizzlies 10-12
14. Kings 6-15
15. Jazz 6-20

East:
1. PACERS 20-3
2. HEAT 17-6
3. Hawks 12-12
4. CELTICS 11-14
5. Pistons 11-13
6. Bobcats 10-14
7. Raptors 9-13
8. Bulls 9-13
9. Wizards 9-13
10. Cavaliers 9-14
11. Nets 8-15
12. Knicks 7-16
13. Magic 7-16
14. Sixers 7-18
15. Bucks 5-19

*Note: Division leaders are capitalized. Division leaders are guaranteed at least the 4th seed.

[kingjames24szupladoh]

NBA.com's weekly MVP Race :

1. Kevin Durant
2. Paul George
3. LeBron James
4. Tony Parker
5. LaMarcus Aldridge
6. Stephen Curry
7. Chris Paul
8. Kevin Love
9. James Harden
10. Russell Westbrook

NBA.com's weekly Rookie Ladder :

1. Michael Carter-Williams
2. Victor Oladipo
3. Trey Burke
4. Ben McLemore
5. Tim Hardaway, Jr.
6. Hollis Thompson
7. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
8. Tony Snell
9. Steven Adams
10. Kelly Olynyk




* Rajon Rondo has been cleared for full contact practice.
Full News Here

[kingjames24szupladoh]

NBA News Update :

According to Chris Broussard, Lakers are highly interested in Iman Shumpert & Tyson Chandler from the Knicks. No trade is imminent, but Lakers did call the Knicks to express their interest. A package around Pau Gasol going to the Knicks.

Sources say Knicks may consider trading Shumpert and/or Chandler if Lakers are willing to take JR Smith.






Monday, December 16 Schedule: 6 games

Houston at Sacramento - 6 pm ET, 3 pm PT

Minnesota at Memphis - 6 pm ET, 3 pm PT

Portland at Detroit - 6 pm ET, 3 pm PT

Orlando at Oklahoma City - 7 pm ET, 4 pm PT

New Orleans at Denver - 8 pm ET, 5 pm PT

Golden State at Phoenix - 8 pm ET, 5 pm PT

[tonistork]

Trail Blazers drain franchise-record 21 3s vs. 76ers, move to 20-4
Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- The Portland Trail Blazers nearly shot their way into the NBA record book.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points and 16 rebounds, Nicolas Batum added 17 points and the Trail Blazers set a franchise record for 3-pointers with 21 in their 139-105 victory over the skidding Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.

Damian Lillard scored 16 and Dorell Wright had 15 on 5-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Wesley Matthews added 14 points for the Northwest Division leaders, who won their third in a row and improved to 20-4.

They became the second NBA team to reach 20 wins, joining the Indiana Pacers (20-3).

"Everyone is taking shots with confidence," Wright said. "It doesn't surprise me when guys are making shots like that because we have a lot of great shooters."

Mo Williams also had 14 points, Robin Lopez 12 and Thomas Robinson 10 for Portland, which put eight players in double figures and moved to 10-2 on the road.

The Trail Blazers broke their club record for 3-pointers for the second time in eight days after hitting 17 against Utah on Dec. 6.

In the process, they racked up 139 points, the most by any team in the league this season. The Los Angeles Clippers scored 137 against the Houston Rockets on Nov. 4.

Portland fell two 3-pointers shy of the NBA mark for a game.

"I know we made a lot of 3s and it was all in the flow of the game," Lillard said. "Guys made good plays to get guys looks and we've got good shooters."

Tony Wroten led the reeling Sixers with 18 points and Hollis Thompson had 17. Spencer Hawes added 16, Thaddeus Young had 15 and James Anderson 14.

Playing once again without rookie point guard Michael Carter-Williams, the Sixers have dropped six straight and 10 of the last 11 games. Carter-Williams sat out for the sixth consecutive game because of a skin infection on his right knee.

The Sixers are 1-9 without Carter-Williams, the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for October and November.

Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

TS (toni storks) view:
Di na sana ako magpost kasi nag-update na si sir James ng NBA results but natuwa lang ako sa pinakitang offensive firepower ng Portland. Hanep sa 3-point shooting, 2 more 3s eh tie na sana nila ang NBA record.

[tonistork]

Trey Burke's 30 leads Jazz past Magic, 86-82
Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Trey Burke had a career-high 30 points and eight assists, Gordon Hayward added 15 points and the Utah Jazz held off the Orlando Magic 86-82 on Wednesday night.

Orlando had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds, but Jameer Nelson's layup rolled off the rim and was rebounded by Utah with just 3 seconds left. Hayward then hit a pair of free throws.

The Jazz snapped a two-game losing streak and extended their win streak over the Magic to six games.

The Magic lost for the sixth time in seven home games. They continue their season-long six-game homestand Saturday against Sacramento.

Nelson led Orlando with 17 points. Nikola Vucevic had 14 points and 14 rebounds and Tobias Harris finished with 14 points and 10 boards, a season high after he returned recently from an ankle injury.

Game notes

Burke has scored at least 20 points in four games this season. ... Orlando played without leading scorer Arron Afflalo, who was sick. He had started every game this season. ... The Jazz will honor former coach Jerry Sloan in a ceremony back in Utah next month. Magic coach Jacque Vaughn, who played under Sloan, called the honor "special" for a coach he credits as being one of his mentors. "The reason I do a lot of things I do today (is) because of him," Vaughn said.
Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

[tonistork]

Heat use late 10-0 run capped by Ray Allen 3 to overtake Pacers
Associated Press

MIAMI -- Dwyane Wade scored 32 points, Ray Allen hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with just under a minute left and the Miami Heat erased a 15-point deficit in the second half to beat the Indiana Pacers 97-94 on Wednesday night.

LeBron James scored 24 on a bad left ankle for the Heat, who closed within a game of the Eastern Conference-leading Pacers. Chris Bosh added 15 points for Miami, including a 3 that tied it late in the fourth.

James set up Allen for the 3 that put Miami in front for good with 59.5 seconds left, capping a 10-0 run.

Paul George scored 25 points but missed a 3-pointer that would have tied it with 4 seconds left. David West had 23 and Lance Stephenson added 13 for the Pacers, who have dropped two straight.

Down by one, the Pacers saw their best chance go awry when George Hill turned the ball over on a bad pass with 14 seconds left. Allen made two free throws with 10.3 seconds remaining to put Miami up by three, and that capped a big comeback win for the two-time defending NBA champions.

Pacers center Roy Hibbert got his fourth foul early in the third, and Indiana coach Frank Vogel opted to leave him in the game. The gamble appeared to backfire 46 seconds later when Hibbert picked up his fifth with 8:34 remaining in the quarter.

Hibbert went to the bench -- but the Pacers didn't miss a beat.

George made three free throws after getting hit beyond the arc by Mario Chalmers to put Indiana up 66-51 midway through the third, and the Pacers' lead was still 14 with 4:17 left in the period.

But Norris Cole's 3-pointer, Miami's first in 10 tries to that point, started what became a 13-4 Heat run and made it a 76-71 game entering the fourth. Nonetheless, Indiana remained in control, and when West connected with 3:21 left, the Pacers were up 92-85 and seemed well on their way to closing things out.

And then the Heat -- for the first time all night -- put together a run.

The Heat scored the next 10 points -- Bosh's 3-pointer, his first in 15 attempts, tied it at 92. And after George missed in the lane at the other end, James brought the ball the other way and found Allen for a 3-pointer that put the Heat ahead for the first time since the score was 14-13.

They didn't trail again.

Even though the teams won't see each other again until March, and with the playoffs still 50-something games away, there was clearly a little more meaning to this one.

After all, those often-rugged playoff battles that went Miami's way the last two seasons aren't going to be forgotten anytime soon.

There was the requisite extracurricular activity; Stephenson and Chalmers getting technicals for exchanging unpleasantries, noted Pacers nemesis Udonis Haslem wagging a finger after finding himself in the middle of a heated discussion. But the simple fact that James was playing and Vogel was coaching spoke volumes about how much neither wanted to a take a night off in this rivalry.

Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

TS (toni storks) view:
It's only thier 2nd meeting this season between these 2 Eastern Conference heavy weights but it's like a playoff atmosphere already. It's 1-1 and the tie-breaker will be on march next year.

[tonistork]

Love outplays Aldridge to lead Wolves past Blazers
Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS -- Kevin Love had 29 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 120-109 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.

Nikola Pekovic had 30 points and nine rebounds and Kevin Martin scored 22 for the Timberwolves, who led by 32 in the second quarter and held off a charge in the second half from the Blazers.

Damian Lillard had 36 points, six assists and six rebounds and LaMarcus Aldridge had 15 points and 14 boards for the weary Trail Blazers, who lost for the first time in six games. It was just their fifth loss of the season in 27 games and came at the end of a four-game road trip.

Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

TS (toni storks) view:
Kevin Love is working hard to outplay the leagues other elite power forwards during each T-Wolves games and this game proves that. He outplayed one of the early frontrunner in the MVP race in Aldridge. He's making a case that he is still the No. 1 power forward playing in the NBA right now.

[tonistork]

Korver's 3s lead Atlanta past Sacramento
Associated Press

ATLANTA -- Kyle Korver made seven consecutive 3-point attempts on his way to a season-high 28 points, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 124-107 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.

Al Horford added 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks, who have won two straight and five of seven. Jeff Teague finished with 18 points and tied a career high with 15 assists.

DeMarcus Cousins scored 28 points, Rudy Gay had 22 and Isaiah Thomas 20 for the Kings, who allowed a season high in points.

The Hawks outscored the Kings 39-20 in the fourth quarter of their 12th consecutive victory against Sacramento. Horford made consecutive jumpers to help Atlanta open a 117-105 lead with 2:49 left.

Korver missed his first 3 attempt early in the first, but then hit seven in a row before missing midway through the fourth. He went 8 for 10 from long range while extending his NBA record to 95 straight games with at least one 3-pointer.

Game notes

Kings minority owner Shaquille O'Neal was at the game. ... DeMarre Carroll scored 15 points and Paul Millsap had 14 for Atlanta. ... Sacramento's previous high IN points allowed this season was 122 in a home loss to Utah last Wednesday.
Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

[tonistork]

Tyson Chandler returns as Knicks edge Bucks in double overtime
Associated Press

MILWAUKEE -- As conditioning tests go, this might have been a little bit more than Tyson Chandler was expecting in his first game back.

A double-overtime victory made the extra effort worthwhile.

Chandler played 36-plus minutes in his return from injury, J.R. Smith hit a go-ahead jumper in the second overtime and the New York Knicks beat the Milwaukee Bucks 107-101 on Wednesday night.

Chandler cramped up at the end of the game, earning him an apology of sorts from Knicks coach Mike Woodson.

"It's a sign of not being out on the floor and running," Woodson said. "I apologized to him -- but hell, I needed him."

Chandler didn't mind at all.

"I was willing to do whatever it took to get a win," Chandler said. "I told coach, don't put me on a minute restriction. Whatever you feel like you need or whenever you need me out there, just keep me out there."

Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points and Beno Udrih added a season-high 21 for the Knicks. Smith had 19 points.

Anthony had the biggest workload of all, playing 55-plus minutes.

"We were right there and it kept going back-and-forth so we needed everybody to step up," Woodson said. "I just didn't have time to rest him. That's how it's probably going to have to be for right now."

Chandler, who had been out since Nov. 5 with a non-displaced fracture of his right fibula, had nine points and nine rebounds.

Brandon Knight scored a career-high 36 for the Bucks, who have lost four straight. John Henson had 20 points and 14 rebounds while Khris Middleton added 20 points.

Bucks coach Larry Drew praised Knight's scoring ability, but noted that he only had three assists -- and the Bucks only had 13 as a team.

"We're going to have to be better, and he's going to have to be better, at distributing the basketball," Drew said.

Rookie Giannis Antetokounmpo made his first career start for Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo got in early foul trouble, but recovered to score 10 points and grab seven rebounds.

Game notes

Guard O.J. Mayo was attending his grandmother's funeral and did not play for Milwaukee. ... Antetokounmpo is the youngest player to start a game in team history, and the youngest player to start an NBA game since Andrew Bynum in 2006, according to the Bucks' PR staff.
Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

[kingjames24szupladoh]

December 19, Final Scores/Leaders:

Pacers – 94 Heat – 97
George: 25 Pts. George: 6 Asts.
Stephenson: 9 Rebs./Wade: 32 Pts. James: 7 Asts. James: 9 Rebs.

Jazz – 86 Magic – 82
Burke: 30 Pts. Burke: 8 Asts. Favors: 11 Rebs./Nelson: 17 Pts. Nelson: 4 Asts. Vucevic: 14 Rebs.

Bobcats – 104 Raptors – 102
Walker: 29 Pts. McRoberts: 7 Asts. Jefferson: 11 Rebs./DeRozan: 30 Pts. Vasquez: 8 Asts. Johnson: 13 Rebs.

Kings – 107 Hawks – 124
Cousins: 28 Pts. Thomas: 10 Asts. Thompson: 7 Rebs./Korver: 28 Pts. Teague: 15 Asts. Horford: 10 Rebs.

Pistons – 107 Celtics – 106
Jennings: 28 Pts. Jennings: 14 Asts. Drummond: 16 Rebs./Sullinger: 19 Pts. Crawford: 6 Asts. Sullinger: 8 Rebs.

Wizards – 113 Nets – 107
Wall: 21 Pts. Wall: 6 Asts. Booker: 13 Rebs./Pierce: 27 Pts. Williams: 13 Asts. Johnson: 7 Rebs.

Knicks – 107 Bucks – 101
Anthony: 29 Pts. Smith: 6 Asts. Bargnani: 10 Rebs./Knight: 36 Pts. Knight: 3 Asts. Henson: 14 Rebs.

Blazers – 109 Timberwolves – 120
Lillard: 36 Pts. Lillard: 6 Asts. Aldridge: 14 Rebs./Pekovic: 30 Pts. Love: 9 Asts. Love: 15 Rebs.

Grizzlies – 91 Mavericks – 105
Allen: 16 Pts. Bayless: 6 Asts. Allen: 11 Rebs./Nowitzki: 20 Pts. Carter: 6 Asts. Marion: 7 Rebs.

Spurs – 108 Suns – 101
Ginobili: 24 Pts. Ginobili: 7 Asts. Duncan: 13 Rebs./Frye: 22 Pts. Bledsoe: 7 Asts. Plumlee: 13 Rebs.

Bulls – 94 Rockets – 109
Butler: 20 Pts. Augustin: 9 Asts. Noah: 10 Rebs./Howard: 23 Pts. Jones: 6 Asts. Parsons: 9 Rebs.

Pelicans – 95 Clippers – 108
Davis: 24 Pts. Holiday: 10 Asts. Evans: 13 Rebs./Griffin: 21 Pts. Paul: 11 Asts. Jordan: 20 Rebs.


STANDINGS:

West:
1. Thunder 20-4
2. BLAZERS 22-5
3. SPURS 20-5
4. CLIPPERS 18-9
5. Rockets 17-9
6. Mavericks 15-10
7. Suns 14-10
8. Nuggets 14-10
9. Warriors 14-12
10. Timberwolves 13-13
11. Lakers 12-13
12. Pelicans 11-13
13. Grizzlies 10-15
14. Kings 7-17
15. Jazz 7-21

East:
1. PACERS 20-5
2. HEAT 19-6
3. Hawks 14-12
4. CELTICS 12-15
5. Pistons 13-14
6. Bobcats 12-14
7. Wizards 11-13
8. Raptors 9-14
9. Bulls 9-15
10. Cavaliers 9-15
11. Nets 9-16
12. Knicks 8-17
13. Magic 8-18
14. Sixers 7-19
15. Bucks 5-20

*Note: Division leaders are capitalized.Division leaders are guaranteed at least the 4th seed.

[tonistork]

Dirk Nowitzki's return boosts Mavericks by Grizzlies
Associated Press

DALLAS -- Dirk Nowitzki gave the Mavericks a boost in his return to the lineup, while the short-handed Grizzlies lost another starter to injury.

Nowitzki scored 20 points after missing a game with a stomach virus and Dallas defeated Memphis 105-88 on Wednesday night.

The Mavericks (15-10) have won two straight to equal their season high of five games over .500. Memphis (10-15) has lost five in a row and seven of eight.

Nowitzki added six rebounds, five assists, two steals and one blocked shot. He scored four points during a 10-2 run after the Grizzlies cut a 16-point deficit to four in the third quarter.

"I didn't feel great Monday in practice," the 16-year veteran said. "We didn't have a game for another two days, so by Tuesday I was a lot better and today I felt fine. I used the break to get healthy."

Mavericks teammate Monta Ellis, who scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half to help squelch a Memphis rally, said Nowitzki didn't look as if he hadn't played a game in a week.

"Even when he came back to practice, he didn't look like that. He's been in the league so long that he knows how to take care of his body," Ellis said.

Jose Calderon, in his first season with Dallas, scored 12 points, including two 3-pointer in the second quarter. He said he was "amazed" by Nowitzki.

"He makes everything look so easy. I was amazed how the guys guarding him kept jumping, and he just waited and knocked down the shot," Calderon said.

While the Mavericks got their star forward back, Memphis was without three injured starters.

Tayshaun Prince missed his first game this season because of a sore left knee, and the Grizzlies already were without point guard Mike Conley and center Marc Gasol. They dressed only 10 players for the game.

Tony Allen led the Grizzlies with 16 points and matched a career high with 11 rebounds -- 10 on the offensive end. But he left in the fourth quarter because of a cut on his pinkie that required three stitches.

Vince Carter had 14 points for the Mavericks and Shawn Marion 10.

Samuel Dalembert, who didn't play in Dallas' previous game, came off the bench in the second half to score eight points, grab seven rebounds and block two shots in 13 minutes. He also slowed down Randolph.

"I liked the lift that Sam gave us off the bench," Nowitzki said. "He was phenomenal using his wing span to slow down Zach, and getting blocks and rebounds."

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle was able to change defensive tactics once he inserted Dalembert.

Game notes

Conley (24 points), Gasol (23) and Prince (three) combined for 50 points in the previous meeting, a 111-99 Dallas victory on Nov. 2. Allen was scoreless in that game. ... Mike Miller started in Prince's place and scored eight points. Conley (bruised left thigh) missed his second game in a row, and Gasol (sprained MCL in left knee) was out for the 12th consecutive game. The Grizzlies are 3-9 since Gasol was injured. .. Dallas is 54-18 against Memphis.
Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

[tonistork]

Dwight Howard, Rockets use 3rd-quarter surge to thump Bulls
Associated Press

HOUSTON -- Dwight Howard scored 23 points and James Harden and Chandler Parsons added 19 each as the Houston Rockets used a big third-quarter run to pull away for a 109-94 win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.

The Bulls trailed by three with 5 1/2 minutes left in the third before their offense went cold. Houston took advantage of the scoring drought, using a 15-1 spurt to make it 83-66 entering the final period.

Chicago missed six shots and had five turnovers in that span, while Omri Casspi scored seven points to power Houston's offense.

The Rockets picked up the victory in the return of coach Kevin McHale, who had missed the previous three games following the death of his mother.

Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

TS (toni storks) view:
Without Rose and a very thin bench, my original bet for East representative in finals come June is a goner.

[tonistork]

Clippers overwhelm Pelicans in Anthony Davis' return to court
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- Doc Rivers' push to transform DeAndre Jordan into a dominant interior defender is already paying dividends.

Challenged by Rivers before the season began to win the NBA's defensive player of the year award, Jordan is working toward the honor with the kind of performance he had against the Pelicans.

Jordan had 14 points and 20 rebounds -- two off his career high -- and Blake Griffin had 21 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with 4:05 left in the Los Angeles Clippers' 108-95 victory Wednesday night.

"It's fun to take on that challenge," Jordan said. "It's part of my job to be energetic. If I'm not playing well I can still play with energy and that spark to get other guys going."

Chris Paul added his own double-double against his former team, with 12 points and 11 assists in the Clippers' third straight win.

"Outstanding," Paul said of Jordan's effort. "He had five blocks, too. He was MVP of the game. We were a little sluggish. D.J. kept telling us, `Come on, fellas."

Jared Dudley had 20 points, one of seven Clippers in double figures. Jamal Crawford scored 17 points, making 10 of 11 free throws, and Darren Collison added 14, hitting all nine of his free throws.

"D.J. kept us in it with his defense and rebounding," Clippers coach Rivers said. "He's just going after things. He accepts his role and he's become a star in it. He's still going to score by doing all of that stuff."

Anthony Davis led the Pelicans with 24 points and 12 rebounds in his return after missing seven games with a broken left hand.

"It's great just to get back out there with my teammates, have fun and do the things that I'm used to doing," he said. "I've got to get back in a rhythm. You can work out for as much as you want and train as much as you want, but that game rhythm is a lot different. Hopefully it won't take me long to get my shot back and the plays I usually make and get back in the groove."

Ryan Anderson added 17 points, Jrue Holiday had 13 points and 10 assists, and Tyreke Evans had a triple-double of 11 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists after missing the past two games with a sprained left ankle.

"When I got in and started running up and down the floor, it was a little tight. But coach kept me out there and it got looser," Evans said. "It was big (getting himself and Davis back), but we're going to need everybody on this team. Everybody's a big key, but we're still learning to play with each other."

Austin Rivers, the 21-year-old son of Doc Rivers, had two points while playing 14 minutes in a reserve role.

"It's my first time beating him so that's nice," said the elder Rivers, whose wife watched the game on TV. "She was cheering for Austin 100 percent."

New Orleans lost for the third straight game and fifth time in its past seven.

NOTES: Clippers F Matt Barnes dressed and was cleared to play, but didn't as he returns from surgery to repair a torn retina in his left eye. ... Former Clippers Eric Gordon (nine points) and Al-Farouq Aminu (six points) both started against their former team.

Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press