Field Level Media,James Harden worked through a subpar shooting performance to help the Houston Rockets carry a 10-game winning streak into the All-Star break following a 100-91 victory over the visiting Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
Harden totaled a game-high 28 points on 7-of-19 shooting and added nine rebounds and nine assists as Houston sealed its second double-digit winning streak this season. The Rockets won 14 consecutive games bridging the months of November and December.
Chris Paul scored 17 of his 19 points in the second quarter and added seven assists and two steals for Houston. Clint Capela posted his 30th double-double (13 points, 11 rebounds), and P.J. Tucker delivered a strong all-around effort with 10 points, seven boards and two steals.
Trail Blazers 123, Warriors 117
Damian Lillard scored 44 points as Portland won a shootout with visiting Golden State.
Despite getting 50 points from Kevin Durant, the defending champion Warriors fell out of first place in the Western Conference heading into the All-Star break. The Rockets (44-13) are a half-game ahead of Golden State (44-14).
CJ McCollum added 29 points, and Jusuf Nurkic contributed 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who won for the 10th time in 11 home contests. Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry each scored 17 points for Golden State, which saw the end of a three-game win streak.,
