Grizzlies improve to 9-2, Rockets demolish Knicks

Houston — James Harden scored 33 points, and Chandler Parsons had a career-high 31 to help the Houston Rockets coast to a 131-103 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night.

Jeremy Lin added 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists for Houston in the first game against his former team.

The Rockets entered the third quarter up by 12, and scored 10 straight points later in the quarter to extend their lead to 21.

Carmelo Anthony had a season-high 37 for New York, which dropped consecutive games for the first time this season.

Grizzlies  106,

Lakers 98

In Memphis, Rudy Gay scored 21 points, Mike Conley added 19, and Memphis beat Los Angeles to improve to an NBA-best 9-2.

Zach Randolph had 17 points and 12 rebounds, Marc Gasol added 14 points and eight assists.

The Lakers, playing their third road game in four nights, have lost all four road games this season and their second straight with new coach Mike D’Antoni on the bench. Kobe Bryant scored 14 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter. Metta World Peace and Antawn Jamison each had 16.

Celtics 108,

Thunder 100

In Boston,  Paul Pierce scored 22 of his 27 points in the second half and Boston beat Oklahoma City to snap a two-game losing streak.

Kevin Garnett had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Rajon Rondo finished with 16 assists and eight rebounds for the Celtics. They led by 14 points in the second half and held on after the Thunder cut it to three with under 2 minutes remaining.

Kevin Durant scored 29 points for Oklahoma City, which lost for just the second time in its last 10 games. Russell Westbrook had 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, and Serge Ibaka added 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Nets  86,

Clippers  76

In New York, Brook Lopez had 26 points, including consecutive baskets during the decisive stretch, and Brooklyn shut down Los Angeles in the fourth quarter.

Brooklyn outscored Los Angeles 23-13 during a final period in which Chris Paul had no points, one assist and six fouls. Deron Williams didn’t have a great game either, but he improved to 14-4 in the longtime rivalry between two of the NBA’s top point guards.

Joe Johnson added 19 points for the Nets. They limited the Clippers to 29 points in the second half and got back on track after losing the final two games of a six-game trip.

Paul and Blake Griffin each had 14 points for the Clippers. They have dropped two in a row following a six-game winning streak.

Spurs  104,

Pacers  97

In Indianapolis, Tony Parker scored 33 points and San Antonio overcame a 17-point deficit to beat Indiana to improve to 10-3.    OTHER RESULTS:  Nuggets 102, Warriors  91; Suns 111, Hornets 108, OT;  Trail Blazers  103, Timberwolves  95;  Hawks  101, Bobcats  91; Magic  108, Cavs  104;  Jazz 104, Kings102; Pistons 91, Raptors  90.   /ap

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