HOUSTON — James Harden scored 33 points for Houston and Cleveland star LeBron James missed a pair of free throws with 4.2 seconds left in overtime, helping the Rockets hold on for a 105-103 win over the Cavaliers on Sunday.

James hit a 3-pointer with 43.5 seconds left to get Cleveland within one. Harden and James got tangled up on Houston’s next possession, but no foul was called and the shot clock expired.

James drove into the lane and was fouled by Josh Smith, but he missed both free throws to finish 3 for 11 at the line. Harden, who had his 26th 30-point game this season, added a free throw and Cleveland missed a 3 at the buzzer.

James finished with 37 points after resting during Friday night’s 93-86 loss at Indiana. He returned for a chippy contest that had multiple technicals and a flagrant foul by Harden on James.

Thunder 108, Lakers 101: Serge Ibaka had 18 points and 14 rebounds, D.J. Augustin added 18 points and nine rebounds, and Oklahoma City beat host Los Angeles without Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Enes Kanter had 16 points and 15 rebounds as the Thunder’s supporting cast snapped a two-game skid with no help from its superstar duo. Durant is out because of a foot injury, and Westbrook underwent surgery on his right cheek Saturday in his native Los Angeles.

Advertisement

PACERS 94, 76ERS 74: Roy Hibbert had 14 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots to help Indiana defeat Philadelphia in Indianapolis.

The win moved the surging Pacers (25-34) three percentage points ahead of Brooklyn and Charlotte in the crowded race for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Indiana has won eight of 10, while the 76ers have lost six of seven.

TRAIL BLAZERS 110, KINGS 99: Damian Lillard scored nine of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, LaMarcus Aldridge had 26 points and 15 rebounds, and Portland beat host Sacramento for its third straight victory.

Wes Matthews scored 17 points, and Robin Lopez had 15 points and eight rebounds for Portland, which is 14-13 on the road.

CLIPPERS 96, BULLS 86: DeAndre Jordan had 26 rebounds and Chris Paul scored 28 points, leading Los Angeles to a victory over host Chicago.

Los Angeles was behind 86-85 before Jamal Crawford made a 3-pointer with 8:02 left. The Clippers never trailed the rest of the way.

Advertisement

After a scoreless first half, Crawford scored 16 points in the final two quarters.

PELICANS 99, NUGGETS 92: Tyreke Evans scored 22 points, Dante Cunningham drew a key charge late in the fourth quarter, and visiting New Orleans extended its winning streak to five games by holding off struggling Denver.

Eric Gordon added 18 points and Omer Asik grabbed 16 rebounds for the Pelicans, who were without All-Star forward Anthony Davis for a fourth straight game after he re-injured his right shoulder on Feb. 21.

NOTES

TIMBERWOLVES: Kevin Garnett has purchased 1,000 tickets to Minnesota’s next game in appreciation of Timberwolves fans for their welcome of his return to the team.

The Timberwolves made the announcement Sunday morning. They host the Los Angeles Clippers Monday night. The freebies courtesy of the 15-time All-Star power forward will be available on the team’s website Monday morning. The first 500 fans to claim them will get a pair of seats.

Garnett said in a statement distributed by the team that the response and support he’s received since the Wolves reacquired him in a trade “has been nothing short of amazing” and “unbelievable.”


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.