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VanVleet Erupts as Rockets Edge Heat for Ninth Straight Win
Fred VanVleet scored 37 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, to lead the red-hot Houston Rockets past the struggling Miami Heat 102-98. After a quiet first quarter, VanVleet heated up, finishing 13-of-17 from the field and 9-of-11 from three-point range. He added three assists as Houston (46-25) extended its NBA-best winning streak to nine.
Miami (29-41) lost its 10th straight despite 30 points from Andrew Wiggins, who scored 20 in the second quarter alone — the highest-scoring quarter of his NBA career.
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Durant Drops 42 as Suns Hold Off Cavaliers
Kevin Durant poured in 42 points, including a clutch late three-pointer, as Phoenix held off a comeback attempt by the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-112. Durant’s deep shot in the final 70 seconds helped seal the win after the Cavs had closed the gap. Devin Booker added 17 points, and Collin Gillespie scored 13.
Cleveland was led by Darius Garland with 18 points. De’Andre Hunter added 17 off the bench, while Evan Mobley posted 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Timberwolves Blow Out Pelicans Behind Randle
Julius Randle scored 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting to lead Minnesota to a commanding 134-93 win over the Pelicans. Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels each scored 17, while Rudy Gobert recorded a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double.
New Orleans dropped its eighth game in its last 10 despite 15 points from C.J. McCollum and 14 from Bruce Brown.
Thunder Dominate Hornets in Offensive Showcase
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 30 points as the Thunder routed the Charlotte Hornets 141-106 at home. A night after clinching the Western Conference’s top seed, OKC had eight players score in double digits — a rare feat achieved just four times in franchise history.
Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 20 points and four 3-pointers. Nick Smith Jr. added 14 points and four threes.
Porzingis, Celtics Power Past Jazz
Kristaps Porzingis tallied 27 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in Boston’s 121-99 win over Utah. Jayson Tatum contributed 26 points, while bench scorers Payton Pritchard (18) and Sam Hauser (14) provided a spark.
Collin Sexton led Utah with 30 points, followed by Keyonte George with 19. The Jazz have now lost 11 of their last 12.
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Harden, Clippers Overpower Grizzlies
James Harden scored 30 points and dished out nine assists, while Kawhi Leonard posted 23 points and 10 rebounds as the Clippers beat the Grizzlies 128-108 in Inglewood. Ivica Zubac added 17 points and 10 rebounds for L.A., which has won five straight and eight in a row at home.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 23 for Memphis, playing without Ja Morant once again.
Avdija Leads Blazers to Upset Over Nuggets
Deni Avdija exploded for a season-high 36 points to lead Portland past Denver 128-109. He shot 12-of-16, added eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Shaedon Sharpe contributed 23 points, and Dalano Banton had 19 off the bench as Portland won its fourth straight.
Aaron Gordon scored 23 for the Nuggets, who were without Nikola Jokic for a third consecutive game. Denver slipped to fourth in the West, narrowly trailing the Lakers.
Spurs Handle Shorthanded 76ers
Jeremy Sochan scored 23 points and Stephon Castle handed out 14 assists to lead San Antonio past a depleted Philadelphia squad 128-120. Chris Paul went 6-of-7 from deep for 18 points, and Devin Vassell added 20.
Quentin Grimes and Anthony Edwards each scored 25 for the Sixers, who have lost six of their last seven. Guerschon Yabusele and Ricky Council IV also contributed over 20 points.
Magic Take Down Wizards on Road
Paolo Banchero scored 30 points and grabbed eight rebounds in just three quarters as Orlando cruised past Washington 120-105. Franz Wagner added 21 points, and Wendell Carter Jr. had a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Rookie Alex Sarr led Washington with 19 points and 10 boards in the Wizards’ third straight loss.
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Dinwiddie, Mavericks Snap Losing Streak
Spencer Dinwiddie scored a season-best 31 points and P.J. Washington added 27 as Dallas ended its four-game skid with a 123-117 win over Detroit. Klay Thompson chipped in 20 points, and Naji Marshall finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Cade Cunningham paced the Pistons with 35 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Malik Beasley scored 16 in the loss, which snapped Detroit’s two-game win streak.
