James Harden had 25 points and nine assists in just three quarters as the Houston Rockets beat New York 120-96 on Thursday to extend the Knicks’ longest single-season losing streak to 14 games.
The Rockets beat New York for the 11th straight time, though everyone is beating the Knicks these days. New York have lost 24 of their past 25 games to fall to an NBA-worst 5-34.
Trevor Ariza added 18 points for the Rockets, who improved to just 4-4 in their past eight. Harden did not reach his NBA-leading average of 26.8 points only because he was limited to 31 minutes, sitting out the fourth quarter with Houston already leading by 24.
Photo: EPA
Rookie Travis Wear scored a season-high 21 points, while Langston Galloway had 19 for the Knicks in his second game since being called up from the NBA Development League.
New York’s longest losing streak ever is 20 games over two seasons. The Knicks lost 12 straight at the end of the 1984-1985 season, then dropped the first eight games of the 1985-1986 season even after landing Patrick Ewing with the No. 1 pick in the draft.
TRAIL BLAZERS 99, HEAT 83
Photo: EPA
LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and 12 rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers used a big third quarter to beat the Miami Heat.
Aldridge scored 10 points in the third, when the Blazers (28-8) outscored the Heat 33-16 to take control of the game.
Wesley Matthews had 18 points, Damian Lillard 16 and Chris Kaman 10 for Portland. The Blazers grabbed 28 rebounds in the second half and out-rebounded Miami 50-42 overall.
Portland tied Golden State for most wins in the NBA this season.
Dwyane Wade led Miami with 23 points. Chris Bosh had 18 and Hassan Whiteside 10 for the Heat (15-21).
HORNETS 103, RAPTORS 95
Gerald Henderson scored a season-high 31 points, while Kemba Walker added 29 as Charlotte beat Toronto for their fourth straight victory.
Walker made a jumper from just inside the three-point line with 19.6 seconds remaining to give the Hornets a six-point lead. The point guard also had eight assists and seven rebounds in 41 minutes.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist added 10 points and 12 rebounds.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
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