James Harden delivered his second straight triple double as the Houston Rockets made an NBA record 24 three pointers in a 122-100 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans Friday. The Rockets continued their record-setting ways this season, setting the single game mark for threes made and attempted (64). Eric Gordon scored a season-high 29 points as the Rockets improved to 20-7 and extended their winning streak to nine games. Houston finished one three pointer shy of matching the old record of 23, which they shared with the Golden State Warriors, Wednesday night in their 34-point win over the Sacramento Kings. Houston had held the mark for three-pointers attempted (50), which it set in Sacramento on November 25. Harden finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists to set a franchise record with his 15th triple-double. Gordon shot 10 for 17 in 27 minutes off the bench, while forward Trevor Ariza finished with 20 points on five-for-14 three-point shooting. Forward Anthony Davis led the Pelicans with 19 points despite playing just 22 minutes. Davis left in the third quarter with a left lower-leg contusion. Former Rockets forward Terrence Jones came off the bench to score 16 points and eight rebounds for New Orleans, which has lost six of seven games against Houston. Jazz 103, Mavericks 100: Rodney Hood scored 15 points and hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 0.8 of a second left to help the Utah Jazz claim a 103-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Hood's game-winning basket came after the Mavericks tied it at 100-100 on a fadeaway jumper from Harrison Barnes with 45.4 seconds remaining to cap a 14-3 run. Dallas had a chance to take the lead but Deron Williams missed a go-ahead three-pointer seconds before Hood pushed the ball up the court and scored. Celtics 96, Hornets 88: Isaiah Thomas returned to the lineup with a bang and Boston ended its three-game losing streak with a fourth-quarter explosion. Thomas scored 26 points and Al Horford added 18 to lead the Celtics to a victory over Kemba Walker-less Charlotte. Magic 118, Nets 111: Evan Fournier scored 21 points, including 11 points in the final 2:20, to spark Orlando to a victory over Brooklyn at Amway Arena. Magic reserve center Nikola Vucevic, returning from a three-game absence, had 21 points and 10 rebounds in a reserve role. Serge Ibaka contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds. Wizards 122, Pistons 108: John Wall had 29 points and 10 assists, and Bradley Beal scored 25 points as Washington dominated Detroit in a win. Otto Porter scored 15 points for the Wizards. Bucks 95, Bulls 69: Just like the night before, Milwaukee had little trouble defeating Chicago at the United Center. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 22 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds for Milwaukee. Hawks 125, Raptors 121: Dwight Howard scored 27 points and added 15 rebounds and Atlanta held on to defeat Toronto. The loss ended the Raptors' four-game winning streak. They have won 10 of their past 12 games. Lakers 100, 76ers 89: Julius Randle had 25 points and nine rebounds, Lou Williams added 18 points and Los Angeles snapped an eight-game losing streak with a victory over Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center. D'Angelo Russell and Nick Young also had 15 points apiece for the Lakers, who won for the first time since Nov. 30 at Chicago. Jordan Clarkson scored 10 points and Larry Nance Jr. swept 11 rebounds. Clippers 102, Heat 98: Blake Griffin scored 20 points and DeAndre Jordan added 19 rebounds and three blocks to lead Los Angeles to a victory over Miami at AmericanAirlines Arena. Kings 96, Grizzlies 92: There were some unfamiliar and uncomfortable moments for Memphis guard Mike Conley and former Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger, but it was the latter who had the happy return with Sacramento to the FedExForum after the Kings held on for a win. — Agencies
