NBA on Mar 8: Rockets beat 76ers 107-91 for seventh straight win

James Harden had 31 points and 10 rebounds and the Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to a season-high seven games with a 107-91 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.

The Rockets had a big lead for most of the night after a 37-point first quarter and were up by 22 entering the fourth. Philadelphia had trouble containing Clint Capela with Joel Embiid out for the eighth straight game with a sore left knee, and Houston's big man had 18 points and nine rebounds.

The victory came after Philadelphia won the first meeting this season 121-93 behind 32 points from Embiid.

Tobias Harris (C) of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball against the Houston Rockets in Houston, Texas, U.S., March 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

Tobias Harris had 22 points for the 76ers, who dropped their second straight. Ben Simmons played despite dealing with stomach flu and added 15 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.

Thompson returns with 39, Warriors bounce back, beat Nuggets

Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets in Oakland, California, U.S., March 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

Klay Thompson returned from a two-game absence to score 39 points with nine three-pointers, and Golden State bounced back from its worst loss of the season to beat Denver Nuggets 122-105 on Friday night in a matchup of the top two teams in the Western Conference.

Thompson sat out that embarrassing 128-95 home defeat Tuesday night to the Celtics, the worst at Oracle Arena under fifth-year coach Steve Kerr, because of soreness in his right knee. He then scored 27 points in the first half Friday and wound up 9 of 11 from deep.

Kevin Durant added 26 points and six assists, and Stephen Curry scored 17 points. DeMarcus Cousins had a strong outing on both ends with 13 points, six rebounds, six assists, six blocked shots, and three steals.

Nikola Jokic had 16 points for the Nuggets.

Nikola Jokic (C) of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, California, U.S., March 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

Other games on Friday included: (away teams come first)

Washington Wizards 111-112 Charlotte Hornets

Dallas Mavericks 106-111 Orlando Magic

Cleveland Cavaliers 110-126 Miami Heat

Detroit Pistons 112-104 Chicago Bulls

Utah Jazz 104-114 Memphis Grizzlies

Toronto Raptors 127-104 New Orleans Pelicans

Oklahoma City Thunder 110-118 LA Clippers