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The Rockets have won eight of 10 by outflanking
the opposition from the 3-point line, and they extended to a
25-point lead before cooling off when both benches cleared in
the fourth period. Houston excelled offensively without guard
Russell Westbrook, who was a late scratch (left thumb).
Harden, Westbrook and P.J. Tucker arrived just over an hour
prior to tipoff after taking a private jet from Los Angeles
following the memorial service for Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
McLemore scored 17 points on 4-for-9 3-point shooting while
Rivers chipped in 14 points, including nine in the third
quarter. Eric Gordon, inserted into the starting lineup for
Westbrook, scored 16 points over 28 minutes before departing in
the second half with left knee soreness.
The Rockets have won eight consecutive games against the Knicks,
who have followed a season-best four-game winning streak with
four consecutive losses. Rookie RJ Barrett paced the Knicks with
21 points while Julius Randle added a double-double (17 points,
12 rebounds).
Dennis Smith Jr. tallied 15 points and a career-high seven
steals for the Knicks.
Barrett provided the Knicks a measure of optimism with 14
first-quarter points, and his running layup with 3:20 left in
the period capped a 15-2 run and spotted the Knicks a 27-24
advantage.
But McLemore closed the frame with a 3-pointer and added another
following a Jeff Green 3 that opened the scoring in the second
quarter. Houston quickly extended to a 44-33 lead, and when the
Knicks clawed within 53-49 midway through the period, Harden
responded with 13 consecutive points as Houston reclaimed
control. Harden matched his season high with 31 first-half
points, doing so on just 16 shot attempts while converting 4 of
5 3-pointers.
--Field Level Media
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