James Harden scored 40-plus points for the third straight game as he led the Houston Rockets to a 108-104 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Harden, who leads the league with a points average of 32.7, had 26 in the first half and finished with 41, nine rebounds and six assists.
A big road WIN in NOLA! #RunAsOne 🚀 pic.twitter.com/ke2YFVWS5d
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 30, 2018
Julius Randle top scored for the Pelicans with 23, while Antonio Davis hit 22.
The Denver Nuggets, leaders of the Western Conference, overcame the Phoenix Suns 122-118 with Jamal Murray scoring 46 and adding eight assists.
Nikola Jokic added 23 in the victory, as the Nuggets' opened up a one-game lead over Oklahoma City Thunder in the Northwest Division.
The Greek Freak ends 2018 with his third triple-double of the season!!#FearTheDeer — Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 30, 2018
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a triple-double – 31 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists – as the Milwaukee Bucks halted a late charge from the Brooklyn Nets to win 129-115.
Elsewhere, the Washington Wizards saw off the Charlotte Hornets 130-126, the Atlanta Hawks got the better of the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-108 and Kyrie Irving put 26 on the board as the Boston Celtics saw off the Memphis Grizzlies 112-103.
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) December 30, 2018
Rudy Gobert had 25 points and 16 rebounds as the Utah Jazz saw off the New York Knicks 129-97, Damian Lillard had 40 but the Portland Trail Blazers lost to the Golden State Warriors 115-105 and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Los Angeles Clippers 122-111.
