HOUSTON (AP) James Harden scored a season-high 57 points to carry the short-handed Houston Rockets to a 112-94 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.
The reigning MVP extended his streak of 30-point games to 17 by halftime, pouring in 36 points over the first two quarters to put Houston on top. Its the longest such streak since Wilt Chamberlain had 20 straight games of at least 30 points in 1964.
Its the franchise-record 14th time Harden has scored 40 this season and the eighth time in his last 11 games. Its the third time hes topped 50 points this season and the 12th time in his career. He surpassed his previous season best of 54 against Washington and fell just shy of the career-high and club-record 60 points he scored last January against Orlando.
Garrett Temple and Mike Conley scored 14 each for the Grizzlies, who lost for the eighth time in nine games.
Hardens big game came on a night when the Rockets were without three starters, as center Clint Capela joined Chris Paul and Eric Gordon on the injured list after hurting his right thumb Sunday.
Harden scored 38 points Sunday in a loss to Orlando despite going 1 for 17 from 3-point range. This time, he made his first two 3s and finished 6 of 15. He also hit 15 of 17 free throws and pulled down nine rebounds.
HORNETS 108, SPURS 93
SAN ANTONIO (AP) Kemba Walker scored 33 points and Tony Parker enjoyed a triumphant return to San Antonio as Charlotte snapped the Spurs seven-game home winning streak.
Parker had eight points, four assists and three rebounds in his first game back in San Antonio after signing with the Hornets during the offseason.
Jeremy Lamb added 19 points for Charlotte, which ended a three-game skid. The Hornets also stopped an 11-game slide in San Antonio.
LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs with 28 points and 10 rebounds.
The Spurs honored Parker before the game with a two-minute video of his career highlights during 17 seasons in San Antonio, including his four NBA championships with the team. The crowd roared in appreciation, chanting Tony! Tony! Tony!
NETS 109, CELTICS 102
NEW YORK (AP) DAngelo Russell scored 18 of his 34 points in the third quarter and Brooklyn ended a 10-game losing streak to Boston, sending the Celtics to a winless three-game road trip.
With Kyrie Irving nursing a bruised right quadriceps, the Nets broke open the game with a 15-0 run in the third and outscored the Celtics 44-21 in the period.
Jarrett Allen added 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Nets, who have won nine of their last 10 home games. Rookie forward Rodions Kurucs also scored 19.
