CHRIS Paul posted a double-double and reached a career milestone as the host Phoenix Suns defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 112-100 on Tuesday night (Wednesday in Manila).
Paul scored 12 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 18 assists while passing Mark Jackson and former Sun Steve Nash to move into third place in the NBA’s all-time assist list.
Paul, 36, ended the night with 10,346 assists as he topped Jackson (10,334) and then Nash (10,335). The list is topped by John Stockton (15,806) and Jason Kidd (12,091).
Mikal Bridges scored 22 points, JaVale McGee and Devin Booker had 18 each, Frank Kaminsky scored 17 and Jae Crowder added 13 for Phoenix. Jonas Valanciunas had 23 points and 14 rebounds, Josh Hart scored 16, Devonte’ Graham added 12 and Nickeil Alexander-Walker 10 to lead the Pelicans, who were playing the first of four road games in seven days.
In other games, it was the Lakers 119, Rockets 117; Heat 125, Mavs 110; Jazz 119, Kings 113; and Bucks 117, Pistons 89.
Lakers 119, Rockets 117
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook combined for a season-best 84 points as Los Angeles rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit and survived a wild finish for a victory over visiting Houston.
James finished with game highs of 30 points and 10 assists while Davis and Westbrook had 27 points apiece. Davis and Westbrook each grabbed nine rebounds, and Westbrook added seven assists.
After scoring a team-high 23 points in the Sunday win, Carmelo Anthony chipped in with 15 off the bench for the Lakers, who totaled 26 points off 25 Houston turnovers. Wood had a game-high 16 rebounds to go with a team-high 26 points for the Rockets, who lost despite shooting 52.7 percent.
Heat 125, Mavericks 110
Tyler Herro scored 25 points off the bench, leading Miami to its fifth straight win as it defeated host Dallas.
Herro had 15 of his points in the key second quarter, when the Heat took control of the game, and they never trailed again. The Heat also got 23 points from Jimmy Butler.
Veteran point guard Kyle Lowry, in his first year with the Heat, had his best game of the season with 22 points and a game-high nine assists. He made 7 of 10 shots from the floor, including 6 of 9 from 3-point range. — Field Level Media
