HOUSTON -- James Harden had a triple-double -- 15 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds -- in just three quarters to lead the Houston Rockets to their eighth straight win, 132-98 over the short-handed Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
Houston's winning streak is the longest current one in the NBA and the team's longest since 2014.
It was Harden's fifth triple-double this season and the 14th of his career, which ties him with Hakeem Olajuwon for most in franchise history.
Houston led by 15 points in the third quarter before using a 10-4 run to push it to 76-53 with about 7 minutes left in the quarter. The Rockets began to pour it on after that, outscoring the Kings 18-5 over the next 3 1/2 minutes to make it 94-58. Trevor Ariza scored the first five points in that span and capped it with a 3-pointer (see full recap).
Rivers, Clippers hold off Magic
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Austin Rivers made seven 3-points and scored 25 points in his return from a concussion to help the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Orlando Magic 113-108 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory.
Rivers hit the key shot when he buried a 3-pointer from the corner with 2 minutes left to give the Clippers a nine-point lead. The Magic made it interesting, but weren't able to overcome the deficit.
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Blake Griffin added 23 points, and DeAndre Jordan had 22 points and 12 rebounds. Jordan, who often struggles from the foul line, made 12 of 18 free throws.
The Magic attempted 17 fewer free throws than Los Angeles, converted just 10 of 20. The Clippers connected on 26 of 37 (see full recap).
Grizzlies beat undermanned Cavs
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Troy Daniels scored 20 points and Marc Gasol had 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 93-85 victory Wednesday night over the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers, who left their top three scorers at home to rest.
Tony Allen added 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals as Memphis won for the seventh time in eight games. The only loss during that stretch was a 110-89 defeat Tuesday night in Cleveland.
LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love did not make the trip for the Cavs, leaving an average of more than 70 points per game back in Cleveland.
The result was the Cavaliers setting a season low for points and hitting only nine 3-pointers -- matching their fewest in a game this season.
James Jones made three shots from outside the arc and led Cleveland with 15 points. Cavaliers rookie Kay Felder scored a season-high 14 (see full recap).
