NBA highlights on Nov. 17: Harden's big play ends Clippers' losing streak

The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Houston Rockets 106-100 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on Friday, ending both their losing streak and the opponents' winning streak of six games.

It was also James Harden's first win since he was traded to the Clippers by the Philadelphia 76ers on November 1. He shot 8-for-11 from the field to get 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. When the game was tied at 100-100 with six seconds to go in the fourth quarter, he drained a 3-pointer on the top of the key while drawing a foul from Jae'Sean Tate, placing his side on a four-point lead (104-100), which would take the opponents two plays to beat.

This significant play was the first score Harden made in the fourth period. He didn't take as many shots as Kawhi Leonard (16) or Paul George (22) did, but Harden did his best to make every attempt count. He went to the free throw line seven times, the third-most of all players on the court. He also led the Clippers in both rebounds and assists.

Friday's victory was also a recognition of coach Tyronn Lue's change of rotation. He accepted Russell Westbrook's suggestion to have Westbrook come off the bench and kept him there during clutch time in the fourth quarter. Bones Hyland continued to stay out of the Clippers rotation as well so the team's race for ball possession wouldn't get more intensive.

Before Harden made the key shot in the final moments of the fourth period, George and Leonard kept the Clippers together in front of the Rockets' remarkable energy and aggression. George went 5-for-9 to score 13 of his 23 points in the first quarter; Leonard contributed game-high 26 points plus five steals, including three in the final quarter alone.

The Rockets beat the Clippers in offensive rebounds (12-5) and fast break points (19-4), but their coarse style of playing cost them their seventh straight win. For example, Alperen Sengun had team-high 23 points in addition to eight rebounds and four assists. His posing skills were nothing but excellent. Nonetheless, he also committed six turnovers and did poorly in defense. Jalen Green showed great offensive aggression by earning 10 free throws, but he missed eight of his jumpers.

Jabari Smith Jr. and Dillon Brooks, as two of the Rockets' best defenders, combined to commit 11 fouls in Friday's game. The team needed their tough defense, but also needed their presence on the court to make sustainable contributions. In the end, Fred VanVleet was the best-performing Rocket with 19 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists, but the team gave the bigger roles to the youngsters, not him, for the sake of future development.

Other games on Friday (away teams come first):

Philadelphia 76ers 126-116 Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks made the right choice of closing on the defensive end in order to contain Joel Embiid, but the game didn't work out as they had planned at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Embiid made five of his 12 jumpers in the middle range and knocked down 11 free throws to maintain his offensive production. Meanwhile, he also delivered eight assists thanks to the accurate 3-point shooting performances by his teammates.

Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, De'Anthony Melton and Robert Covington combined to go 11-for-20 from downtown. The team's silky ball movement made the opponents unable to take of everything at once.

Boston Celtics 108-105 Toronto Raptors

The Celtics secured their 10th win sooner than any team in the NBA, but it didn't come in an easy way at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada. Their best player Jayson Tatum missed 10 of his 11 triples; their starting point guard Jrue Holiday shot 5-for-14 in field goals (FGs). Jaylen Brown got a team-high 23 points after making nine of his 14 shots. Kristaps Porzingis didn't drain any 3-pointers, but he delivered three blocks, making key contributions to limiting the opponents' FG rate to 48.3 percent.

Scottie Barnes had the chance to tie the score at 106 for the Raptors in the final 11 seconds of the fourth quarter, but his corner 3-pointer hit the front iron before Tatum got the rebound. The team had to foul Holiday in the following possession. When he made both free throws to extend the Celtics' lead to five points (108-103), it was too big for the Raptors to tie or beat with the very limited time they had left.

Milwaukee Bucks 130-99 Charlotte Hornets

New York Knicks 120-99 Washington Wizards

Detroit Pistons 100-108 Cleveland Cavaliers

Sacramento Kings 129-120 San Antonio Spurs

Orlando Magic 103-97 Chicago Bulls

Denver Nuggets 110-115 New Orleans Pelicans

Phoenix Suns 131-128 Utah Jazz

Los Angeles Lakers 107-95 Portland Trail Blazers