With a win over the Kings and a Warriors loss to Damian Lillard and Portland, the Houston Rockets are back in first place in the Western Conference and the entire NBA.
The Rockets are back in first place
We have that and more in Thursday’s NBA newsletter.
Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
The Rockets have a strong history in the NBA, but they’ve never won 60 games in a season. They are on pace for 63. This isn’t new territory for coach Mike D’Antoni, though: His Suns won more than 60 twice.
It’s pretty remarkable that the Rockets have hung with Golden State all season. While the Warriors’ focus has drifted and they have some head-scratching losses, their default state has been blowing out opponents. But Houston just keeps piling up wins quietly themselves. They are on a 10-game bender right now, in fact.
Houston remains absolutely incredible when Chris Paul and James Harden both play — 29-3 on the season! Of course, the playoffs are a different kettle of squid. But wow, what a season. Kudos to Houston, Daryl Morey, D’Antoni, and the players.
Scores Galore ...
ATL 98, DET 104
CHA 104, ORL 102
MIA 102, PHI 104
IND 108, BKN 103
WAS 118, NYK 113
LAC 129, BOS 119
TOR 122, CHI 98
SAC 91, HOU 100
OKC 121, MEM 114
LAL 117, NOP 139
PHX 97, UTA 107
GSW 117, POR 123
... And So Much More
Usually Damian Lillard is on a run this time of year and we attribute it to an All-Star snub. He wasn’t snubbed at all this season and he’s on an unreal tear. Maybe he just loves deep winter?
Don’t panic about the Celtics, who have lost four straight.
This is a really fun, lovely quiz to help you determine which NBA rookie you are. It turns out I’m Markelle Fultz, which ... that adds up completely, actually.
I ranked the teams in the mix for the worst record in the NBA. It’s a tight race!
Tim Hardaway Jr. in the first half: 32 points on 12-of-14 shooting. Tim Hardaway Jr. in the second half, after Bradley Beal told him he was going to shut him down: Five points on 2-of-10 shooting.
Remember when there was that tension over whether the Celtics would make time for a brief tribute video honoring Isaiah Thomas during the Cavaliers’ final game in Boston this season, which happened to be Paul Pierce’s jersey retirement night? Remember when Rajon Rondo popped off about how the Celtics shouldn’t honor Isaiah because he didn’t win a ring in Boston? Well, Isaiah (now a Laker) and Rondo got each other ejected on Wednesday by talking and pushing and being too physical. Unreal.
LeBron’s versatility is the key to Cleveland’s success. So now that the Cavs are winning ... what’s next?
A Drew Garrison treatise on the inescapable LaVar Ball-Lakers relationship.
Nice Sam Amick profile of the newest franchise owner of the Rockets, Tilman Fertitta.
Unreal tale of what Cristiano Felicio and other basketball prospects from across the globe survived at a crooked, abusive prep program in Northern California.
If you’re in Portland there’s a cool panel on the Blazers happening Thursday!
NBA refs Lauren Holtkamp and Jonathan Sterling recently got married. Interesting.
Adrian Wojnarowski reports that your Sacramento Kings nearly derailed the George Hill/Rodney Hood deal for Cleveland because they tried to sneak draft bust Georgios Papagiannis into the trade in the wee hours of the morning before the deadline to avoid the embarrassment of having to waive him. The Kings did end up having to waive him, but Cleveland and Utah forked over the cash to cover his wasted salary. Papagiannis’ agent, meanwhile, shredded the franchise for how they handled the Greek prospect. If the Kings aren’t careful they’re going to get a reputation!
Deep breath. Here’s Steve Kerr on the tragic mass murder at a Florida high school and our democracy’s unwillingness to stop this cycle of massacre, grief, and inaction. Deep breath. I personally extend my deepest sympathy to the victims of gun violence in Parkland and everywhere. We can change. We can.
Be excellent to each other.
You can already tell Utah rookie Donovan Mitchell is a star
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