OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots as Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzk (left) looks on in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City on Sunday. The Thunder won, 112-99.
Paul George scored 37 points, Russell Westbrook added 27 and Oklahoma City overcame the absence of two regular starters to beat Dallas.
Carmelo Anthony was ruled out about an hour before tipoff because of a sore lower back, and starting center Steven Adams sat out with a right calf contusion.
Without Anthony, the Thunder’s other two superstars carried the offensive load, fueling a 26-10 run in the third quarter that broke open what had been a tight game. Oklahoma City improved to 6-7, missing its second straight after four consecutive losses.
Rockets 118, Pacers 95
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — James Harden had 26 points and 15 assists and Houston beat Indiana.
Indianapolis native Eric Gordon had 21 points for Houston, and Clint Capela had 20 points and 17 rebounds. The Rockets overwhelmed the Pacers from the start, jumping out to a 13-2 lead.
Pistons 112, Heat 103
DETROIT (AP) — Tobias Harris scored 25 points and Avery Bradley added 24 points in Detroit’s victory over Miami.
Reggie Jackson scored 17 points, rookie Luke Kennard had 14 and Andre Drummond added eight points and 17 rebounds for the Pistons. At 10-3, they are second behind Boston in the Eastern Conference and off to their best start since going 10-2 in 2005-06.
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