Over to the NBA where the Houston Rockets are still missing the services of the league's top scorer, James Harden who is out with a hamstring injury. But they've been doing pretty well without the Bearded One with a 2-2 record when they welcomed the Portland Trail Blazers last night. A big reason for their success is the stellar play of Chris Paul whom the Rockets picked up from the Clippers in the summer, and the veteran guard would show once again why he makes the big bucks.

There is the man himself getting all his equipment in order before tip-off.

And late in the first quarter, Paul is going to score from the free throw line to give Houston a six point lead.

Third quarter now and Damian Lillard steps back for three of his team-high 29 points and it's 76-71 Rockets.

CP3 is going to make a nice pass to Tarik Black who gets the bucket and one, but is left writhing in agony on the floor. This is why as Ed Davis goes for the block and gets nothing but face which earns him a flagrant foul.

With the seconds ticking down at the end of the quarter, Paul's buzzer beater is nothing but net to put Houston ahead 86-77.

Eric Gordon would have 30 points in the game, none better than this miss that he cleans up with the one-handed putback. Rockets lead by 11.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Gordon misses again, but the Rockets rebound and Gerald Green drains the triple.

But Portland goes on an 11 point run capped off by Evan Turner's baseline jumper and it's 103-100 Houston.

Paul counters with one of his 11 assists to Clint Capela for the flush.

And then CP3 puts the game to bed with a trey. His season high 37 points help Houston win 121-112. Miami beat Indiana for their sixth straight win, Ricky Rubio had 21 points in Utah's win, Harrison Barnes had a double-double as Dallas dumped Charlotte, Detroit got 22 points and 20 rebounds from Andre Drummond, Minnesota topped OKC despite 38 points from Russell Westbrook, and Lou Williams had a career high 50 points as the Clippers beat Golden State who got 40 from Kevin Durant as he crested the 20,000 point mark.