NBA news and highlights: Rockets snap losing run, Forbes shines vs Suns, Lowry finds shooting touch

NBA.com India Staff

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NBA news and highlights: Rockets snap losing run, Forbes shines vs Suns, Lowry finds shooting touch image

There were just three games on Wednesday's NBA slate, with no shortage of the league's top teams and talent on display.

If you missed any of the action, don't sweat it, because we have you covered with all of the top storylines, best fantasy performers and can't miss highlights!

Top Storylines

Rockets bench fills it up

The Houston Rockets snapped their three-game losing streak, with a 111-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

James Harden scored 29 points and Chris Paul added an 11-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in the win, but it was the second unit that made the biggest impact as Houston relied on a couple of big runs to turn the tide.

In the first half, Houston erased a 15-point deficit, thanks to a 24-6 run by the bench and then in the second half used a 25-5 run late in the third quarter/early in the fourth to take a commanding 100-83 lead.


Gerald Green led the reserves with 13 points, Danuel House Jr added 12, with Nene scoring 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

Portland, who were led by 34 points from Damian Lillard hit back, with a 14-2 run of their own to make things interesting down the stretch, cutting the lead to five, but a string of free throws from Harden and Paul shut the door. 

Lowry shakes off shooting struggles

With Kawhi Leonard sidelined with a hip injury, Serge Ibaka and Kyle Lowry stepped up to lead the Raptors to a comfortable 123-99 win on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers, handing them their biggest loss of the season.

Lowry, who has been struggling with his shot over the past four games, connecting on just 3-of-25 attempts from the three-point line, found his groove against the Clippers, connecting on 4-of-8 from beyond the arc on his way to 21 points, adding seven assists and five rebounds. Ibaka added 25 points, nine rebounds and three blocks .

Starting in place of Leonard, Fred VanVleet had the Raptors offence humming, dishing out 14 of his team's 34 assists on the night. Six players scored in double figures on the niight, making up for Leonard's absence, but collectively their defence was just as impressive.

Anchored by Ibaka, Toronto hounded the Clippers all night, forcing 16 turnovers which they turned nto 24 points, scoring 28 off fast-breaks. 

Toronto led 70-57 at the half, before a dominant third quarter blew the game open. They went on an early 10-0 run, followed by a flurry of Lowry three-pointers to take a 103-74 lead. 


Leading scorer Tobias Harris was kept to just 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting, with only one other CLippers starter, Danillo Gallinari, scoring more than 10 points, with 11 on the night. 

Reserves Boban Marjanovic (18 points) and Tyrone Wallace (15 points) led them in scoring on a night they'd rather forget. 

With today's loss, their fourth from their past six games, the Clippers now tied with the Los Angeles Lakers at 17-10 on the season.

Bryn Forbes lifts Spurs past Suns

The San Antonio Spurs extend their win streak to three games after a convincing 111-86 win over the Phoenix Suns, moving them to .500 on the season (14-14).

Bryn Forbes had the hot hand, with a season-high 24 points and 11 rebounds, going 5-of-5 from the three-point line. LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 points and five rebounds, sitting out the fourth as the Spurs stretched their lead ot as many as 25 poins.

With the win, the Spurs move to 10-4 at home for the season, with coach Gregg Popovich passing Pat Riley on the NBA's All-Time wins list (1,211) in the process.


Best fantasy performers

James Harden: 29 points (10-of-21 FG), four assists, one rebound and a steal

Chris Paul: 11 points (2-of-12 FG, 7-of-8 FT), 11 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals

Damian Lillard: 34 points (12-of-25FG), two rebounds and two assists

Bryn Forbes: 24 points (8-of-14 FG), 11 rebounds, three assists and a steal

TJ Warren: 23 points (9-of-16 FG), six rebounds and two assissts 

Serge Ibaka: 25 points (11-of-18 FG), nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks

Kyle Lowry: 21 points (8-of-13 FG, 4-of-8 3PT), seven assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block

Can't-miss highlights

Gerald Green sneaks in for the JAM


Vintage Milos


Rudy says nah


Lowry with the show and go


Harrell with the DIME


IBAKA!!


Box Scores

Blazers at Rockets | Suns at Spurs

Raptors at Clippers

NBA.com India Staff