James Harden sets a Clippers record with 55 points in a win over Charlotte, while the Detroit Pistons extend their win streak to 12 games
JAMES Harden scored a Los Angeles Clippers-record 55 points in a 131-116 NBA victory at Charlotte on Saturday.
The Detroit Pistons extended their win streak to 12 games by beating the Milwaukee Bucks 129-116.
Harden scored 27 points in the first half for the Clippers, who improved to 5-1 and snapped a three-game losing streak.
“The work I put in individually, I do it for the entire team,” Harden said. “I’m just trying to find ways to win games.”
The 36-year-old guard made 17-of-26 shots from the floor, 10-of-16 from three-point range, and hit 11-of-14 free throws while also passing off seven assists.
Bob McAdoo and Charles Smith had shared the prior franchise record with 52-point performances.
Croatian center Ivica Zubac contributed 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Clippers.
Kon Knueppel led the Hornets with 26 points as Charlotte fell to 4-12 with their fifth consecutive loss.
Clippers guard Chris Paul hinted on social media that his 21st campaign will be his final NBA season, saying, “What a ride… GRATEFUL for this last one.”
The Clippers are expected to welcome back Kawhi Leonard on Sunday when they visit Cleveland after he missed 10 games with an ankle injury.
In Milwaukee, the Pistons achieved their longest win streak since 2004, the last year they won the NBA title.
Cade Cunningham sparked Detroit with 29 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds as the Pistons stayed atop the Eastern Conference at 14-2.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised the defensive work of Ausar Thompson for setting the tempo for the victory.
“We’re an elite team when we can get out in transition and when he is pressuring the ball like that, making deflections, it energizes everybody behind him,” Bickerstaff said.
The Bucks fell to 8-9 and were without Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a groin strain.
“Their physicality completely took us out of our offense,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “They physically wanted to send a message and they did.”
Orlando’s Franz Wagner scored 37 points as the Magic beat visiting New York 133-121 for their sixth win in seven games.
Chicago’s Nikola Vucevic scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 121-120 home victory over Washington, who fell to an NBA-worst 1-15.
Memphis beat Dallas 102-96 behind Spanish forward Santi Aldama’s 20 points and Zach Edey’s 12 points and 15 rebounds.
The NBA announced a $35,000 fine on Phoenix forward Dillon Brooks for confronting game officials after the Suns’ Friday victory over Minnesota. – AFP
