Orlando Thunder celebrate beating the Rockets

Orlando Thunder celebrate beating the Rockets Paul George outgunned James Harden in a match-up of MVP candidates as the Oklahoma City Thunder erased a 26-point deficit to escape with a 117-112 win at the Houston Rockets on Saturday. George finished with a game-high 45 points plus 11 rebounds, torching the Houston defense with six three-pointers plus 15-for-18 free throws. Game leaders Oklahoma City Thunder Points: Paul George - 45 Assists: Russell Westbrook - 11 Rebounds: Russell Westbrook - 12 Houston Rockets Points: James Harden - 42 Assists: Chris Paul - 9 Rebounds: Kenneth Faried - 12 George's four free throws inside the final four seconds sealed the win after Russell Westbrook slipped through the defense to convert a layup and give the Thunder the lead for good at 113-112 with 26.9 seconds left. Westbrook matched an NBA record set by Wilt Chamberlain with his ninth consecutive triple-double: 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. Highlights of the Oklahoma City Thunder's clash with the Houston Rockets in Week 17 of the NBA. Harden, meanwhile, totalled 42 points - his 29th consecutive game with at least 30 - but he missed a contested three-pointer after Westbrook pushed the Thunder ahead. Chris Paul nearly posted a triple-double (18 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists) in his strongest performance since his return from a hamstring injury. The Thunder matched the Rockets' 42-point second quarter with a 42-point third period, keyed by 7-for-12 three-point shooting and after committing just two turnovers in the first half, the Rockets had six in the third quarter and collapsed with 1-for-9 shooting from behind the arc. James Harden scored at least 30 points for the 29th consecutive game Harden, meanwhile, totalled 42 points - his 29th consecutive game with at least 30 - but he missed a contested three-pointer after Westbrook pushed the Thunder ahead. Chris Paul nearly posted a triple-double (18 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists) in his strongest performance since his return from a hamstring injury. The Thunder matched the Rockets' 42-point second quarter with a 42-point third period, keyed by 7-for-12 three-point shooting and after committing just two turnovers in the first half, the Rockets had six in the third quarter and collapsed with 1-for-9 shooting from behind the arc. James Harden scored at least 30 points for the 29th consecutive game James Harden scored at least 30 points for the 29th consecutive game Still, the Rockets led 86-79 before Thunder guard Dennis Schroder closed the frame with 11 consecutive points to pull Oklahoma City even at 90-90 entering the fourth. Less than three minutes into the final frame, the Thunder led 98-92, and the Rockets were left scrambling. Saturday's results Atlanta Hawks 120-129 Charlotte Hornets Boston Celtics 112-123 LA Clippers Chicago Bulls 125-134 Washington Wizards Houston Rockets 112-117 Oklahoma City Thunder Indiana Pacers 105-90 Cleveland Cavaliers Memphis Grizzlies 99-90 New Orleans Pelicans Milwaukee Bucks 83-103 Orlando Magic New York Knicks 99-104 Toronto Raptors Utah Jazz 125-105 San Antonio Spurs Houston had earlier pushed their lead to 58-42 despite a mini-surge from Westbrook before landing what appeared to be a devastating blow: a 10-0 run that included three-pointers from Paul and Harden plus three Harden free throws. But the Rockets were 12 of 24 from deep late in the first half, before missing five consecutive three-pointers to leave the door ajar for a comeback