Harden scores 25 in return, Rockets top Bulls 96-88

CHICAGO (AP) — James Harden scored 25 points, including 11 in a decisive run in the third quarter, in his return to the Houston lineup and the Rockets defeated the Chicago Bulls 96-88 on Saturday night.

Harden, who had missed three games with a strained left hamstring, scored 11 straight points in a 1:59 span of the third as the Rockets went on a 15-0 run.

Carmelo Anthony had 17 points and James Ennis added 15 as the Rockets won their second game in two nights after starting the season 1-5.

Chicago led 59-58 midway through the third quarter before the Rockets and Harden went ahead for good, outscoring the Bulls 21-7 in the period.

Zach LaVine led Chicago with 21 points, and Wendell Carter Jr. had 14 points and 13 rebounds. Jabari Parker added 15 points as the Bulls lost their fourth straight game — going 0-4 in the homestand — and dropped their fifth straight to the Rockets.

PACERS 102, CELTICS 101

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Victor Oladipo connected on a 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds remaining to lift Indiana past Boston.

Oladipo finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Tyreke Evans added 17 points for the Pacers, who shot 41 percent (36 for 87).

Marcus Morris had a team-high 23 points and six rebounds for the Celtics, who shot 43 percent (38 for 88) and had their four-game winning streak snapped.

76ERS 109, PISTONS 99

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 32 of his 39 points in a dominating first half and had 17 rebounds to lead Philadelphia.

Embiid made 10 of 18 field goals and 18 of 23 free throws to help Philadelphia improve to 6-0 at home.

Blake Griffin had 38 points, 13 rebounds and six assists to lead Detroit, which lost its fourth in a row after starting the season with four consecutive victories. Langston Galloway, who starred collegiately at nearby Saint Joseph's University, had 13 points off the bench.

HORNETS 126, CAVALIERS 94

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jeremy Lamb had a season-high 19 points and eight rebounds, and Charlotte routed Cleveland.

Kemba Walker had 18 points and Malik Monk added 16 for the Hornets, who improved to .500 on the season. Charlotte had balanced scoring throughout, with seven players finishing in double digits, including five off the bench.

J.R. Smith scored 14 points for the struggling Cavaliers (1-8), who are playing without the injured Kevin Love and put up very little resistance on defense.

HAWKS 123, HEAT 118

ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young had 24 points and a career-high 15 assists, and Atlanta beat Josh Richardson and Miami.

Taurean Prince and Dewayne Dedmon each scored 15 points for the Hawks, who had dropped four in a row. Young also had six rebounds in his ninth NBA game.

Richardson scored 32 points, setting a career high for the second time this week, but Miami lost its third straight game.

Dwyane Wade had 19 points for the Heat.

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