George returns to boost Indiana in NBA

Paul George scored 13 points in 15 minutes on his return to the NBA as Indiana beat Miami to give real hope to Pacers fans of a playoff run.

Houston Rockets guard James Harden

James Harden scored 41 points as Houston edged Oklahoma City 115-112 in an NBA thriller. (AAP)

Indiana Pacers star Paul George finally returned to the NBA from his leg injury and he immediately made an impact.

Indiana beat Miami 112-89 to remain in contention for the playoffs and George finished with 13 points in 15 minutes - his first action for the Pacers since breaking his right leg back in August.

Luis Scola scored a season-high 23 points for the Pacers who moved into a tie with Miami for the No.9 spot in the Eastern Conference.

Both teams trail Boston by one game for the conference's eighth and final playoff spot.

It was a day for big moments as the San Antonio Spurs showed they can mix it with the best, snapping Golden State's 12-match winning streak with a 107-92 victory.

Tim Duncan had 19 points and Danny Green added 18 points for San Antonio, who led by as many as 28 points.

"Kawhi (Leonard) was magnificent at both ends of the court," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said.

"He is really playing confidently, but he hasn't forgotten to predicate his game on defence and on the boards. It kind of fuels him offensively."

Stephen Curry had 24 points, but was harassed into 9-for-17 shooting by Leonard. Klay Thompson was held to six points for Golden State.

"This is the first time I think since Christmas that we haven't really been in a game," Curry said. "We'll be fine going forward."

In other games Houston overcame Russell Westbrook's 11th triple-double of the season to beat Oklahoma City 115-112, and LeBron James recorded his first triple-double since returning to Cleveland to lift the Cavaliers over Chicago 99-94.

James Harden scored 41 points for the Rockets, who won for the seventh time in eight games.

Harden and Westbrook, the league's top two scorers, both entered the game averaging 27.5 points per game. Harden made 12 of 22 shots and 6 of 9 3-pointers before fouling out with 33 seconds left, while Westbrook finished with 40 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds.

The Thunder lost their third straight and only lead New Orleans by a half game for the No.8 playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Elsewhere, Blake Griffin scored 18 points and DeAndre Jordan added 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers sent the Lakers to their team-record 56th defeat of the season in a 106-78 rout.

With six games still to play, the Lakers have surpassed last season's team as the worst in the 16-time champion franchise's illustrious history.

The Clippers have won 10 of 11 down the stretch, staying in the tight five-team race behind Golden State for homecourt advantage in the first two rounds of the Western Conference playoffs.

Utah topped Sacramento 101-95 and the New York Knicks beat Philadelphia 101-91 to end a nine-game losing streak.


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Source: AAP


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