NBA wrap: Clippers bounce back as Harden, Westbrook shine for Rockets

Los Angeles, January 1: Kawhi Leonard and Paul George helped the Los Angeles Clippers bounce back in the NBA, while James Harden and Russell Westbrook led the Houston Rockets.

Coming off a loss to the Utah Jazz, the Clippers responded by crushing the Sacramento Kings 105-87 on Tuesday (December 31).

Unsurprisingly, their star duo led the way as Leonard had 24 points and George finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

The Rockets' two main stars guided Houston to a 130-104 thrashing of the Denver Nuggets on New Year's Eve.

Harden had 35 points and Westbrook finished with 28 to go with seven assists and three rebounds.

@JHarden13 and @russwest44 combine for 63 PTS in the @HoustonRockets win!

Beard: 35 PTS, 6 AST, 6 3PM, 2 BLK
Brodie: 28 PTS, 7 AST pic.twitter.com/VatcyAAzNK

— NBA (@NBA) January 1, 2020

The Nuggets (23-10) are second to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference, ahead of the Clippers (24-11) and Rockets (23-11).

Doncic dominance not enough for Dallas

Luka Doncic's 35 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists were not enough as the Dallas Mavericks fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder 106-101.

DeMar DeRozan's 24 points guided the San Antonio Spurs to a 117-113 overtime win against the Golden State Warriors.

Serge Ibaka had a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds in the Toronto Raptors' 117-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Kings, Hornets continue to struggle

The Kings slumped to an eighth straight loss with their defeat to the Clippers.

The Charlotte Hornets are on a six-game losing run, meanwhile, after being beaten by the Boston Celtics 109-92.

Sabonis slam

Domantas Sabonis produced a huge slam during the Indiana Pacers' win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

D O M A N T A S S A B O N I S pic.twitter.com/m15PcWIKqg

— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2019

Tuesday's results

Boston Celtics 109-92 Charlotte Hornets

Indiana Pacers 115-97 Philadelphia 76ers

Los Angeles Clippers 105-87 Sacramento Kings

Toronto Raptors 117-97 Cleveland Cavaliers

Houston Rockets 130-104 Denver Nuggets

San Antonio Spurs 117-113 Golden State Warriors

Oklahoma City Thunder 106-101 Dallas Mavericks

Suns at Lakers

The Lakers (26-7) will be expecting to begin 2020 with a win against the Phoenix Suns (13-20) on Wednesday (January 1).