Harden scores 35, Rockets beat Raptors 107-95

James Harden scored 35 points, Gerald Green had 11 of his 18 in the fourth quarter and the Houston Rockets beat the Toronto Raptors 107-95 on Tuesday night.

Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers each scored 13 points as the Rockets won their sixth straight, matching a season high.

Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points and Serge Ibaka had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Toronto. Pascal Siakam had 17 points, and Danny Green 14 as the Raptors had their seven-game home winning streak snapped.

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots over Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

Harden, the NBA's leading scorer, made 12 of 30 shots, including three of nine from long range. He was perfect at the foul line, hitting all eight of his attempts.

Harden has scored 28 or more points in 39 straight games, the second-longest streak in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain (71 games) holds the record.

The Raptors overcame a 22-point second quarter deficit to reclaim the lead in the third, but couldn't hold on in the fourth. The Rockets turned it on, connecting on seven of their first eight shot from 3-point range. Houston made 15 of 34 attempts from beyond the arc.

Toronto Raptors centre Marc Gasol (33) pushes against Houston Rockets centre Nene Hilario (42) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

Harden missed seven of 10 shot attempts, but scored nine points in the first as the Rockets led 23-19 after one.

Houston opened the second with a 19-4 run to take a 42-23 lead at 7:28. Green and Rivers each scored seven in the quarter and Houston led 55-37 at halftime. For the Raptors, it was their lowest-scoring half of the season.

Toronto roared back as Houston missed 11 of its first 12 shot attempts to begin the second half. Siakam's basket at 4:44 of the third put the Raptors up 60-59, erasing what had been a 22-point deficit. Siakam scored 15 in the quarter and the Rockets were 4-for-23 shooting as Toronto took a 71-69 lead into the fourth.

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) tries but can't keep the ball inbounds during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

TIP-INS

Rockets: F Kenneth Faried (left hip) and G Iman Shumpert (right calf) were inactive. Coach Mike D'Antoni said both are day-to-day. ... Chris Paul led the Rockets with 10 assists, while Clint Capela had 15 rebounds. ... The Rockets have won four straight road games and eight of 11. They're 17-16 away from home. ... Houston had scored 17 points off 10 Toronto turnovers before allowing any of their own. The Raptors finished with 13 turnovers, leading to 26 points.

Raptors: Ibaka had a season-high five blocks. ... The Raptors dropped to 9-1 on Tuesdays. ... Toronto had not lost at home since a 105-92 defeat to Milwaukee on Jan. 31.

Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) dishes off a pass as Houston Rockets guard Austin Rivers (25) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

UP NEXT

Rockets: Host Philadelphia on Friday.

Raptors: Visit New Orleans on Friday.

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Toronto Raptors forward Norman Powell (24) jumps to the basket as Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green (14) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots over Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) heads for the basket as Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after being fouled by Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks for away around Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots over Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) controls the rebound as Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and forward Pascal Siakam (43) defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs added 24 points and the Orlando Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 on Thursday night to cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game. They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.

They can even the series with a victory at home Sunday.

Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.

76ERS 125, KNICKS 114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a win over New York in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

NUGGETS 112, LAKERS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series..

Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champion Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.

Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to its fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with its sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) makes a shot as he gets past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)