Howard-less Rockets Top Mavericks; Spurs Stave Off Hornets

Smith and Harden lead Rockets over Mavericks 99-94

HOUSTON (AP) _ Josh Smith scored 18 points and James Harden added 17 as the Houston Rockets used a balanced scoring effort to outlast the Dallas Mavericks for a 99-94 victory on Wednesday night.

It was the third straight win for the Rockets, who played without Dwight Howard (sprained ankle), and the fourth loss in a row for Dallas.

The Mavericks were down by 3 with 15.9 seconds left when Harden knocked Tyson Chandler down on a shot. He was given a flagrant foul after a review, but Chandler missed both free throws.

Terrence Jones blocked a shot by Monta Ellis but knocked it out of bounds, giving Dallas another chance. The inbounds pass by Chandler Parsons sailed out of bounds to give Houston the ball. Harden made two free throws after that to secure the win.

 

Parker scores 17 to lift Spurs past Hornets 95-86

SAN ANTONIO (AP) _ Tony Parker scored 17 points and the San Antonio Spurs overcame another lethargic third quarter to beat the Charlotte Hornets 95-86 Wednesday night.

Danny Green had 16 points and Tim Duncan added 12 points and 14 rebounds as San Antonio won its sixth straight at home.

Gerald Henderson scored 18 points, Al Jefferson had 17 points and 16 rebounds and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist added 14 points for Charlotte. The Hornets were without star guard Kemba Walker, who will be out at least six weeks following surgery on his left knee.

San Antonio led by 18 in the first half but then shot 4 for 21 from the field in the third quarter, maintained the lead by hitting five free throws in the final 2 minutes.

Bonner’s 3-pointer to open the fourth ended an 8:22 drought and reinvigorated the Spurs, who made four 3s in the period to rebuild a double-digit lead.

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