Knicks at Rockets
The Houston Rockets are 14-2 in December and aim to tie the franchise record for victories in a month when they host the New York Knicks on Saturday. High-scoring Houston arguably has been the best team in the NBA in December as it chases the team monthly win mark set in November 1996.
The Rockets set a season high for points while trouncing the Los Angeles Clippers 140-116 on Friday as star point guard James Harden recorded 30 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his seventh triple-double of the season. Houston has scored 100 or more points in 20 consecutive contests and got to the free-throw line 43 times (making 36) in Friday's victory. New York lost its third straight game and dropped to 5-11 on the road when it fell 104-92 to New Orleans on Friday, an effort that frustrated small forward Carmelo Anthony. "We've got to kind of re-evaluate kind of where we're at as a team right now," Anthony told reporters. "The different kind of schemes that we're seeing against us, we've got to be able to adjust to that and react to that. We've just got to play better."
TV: 8 p.m. MSG (New York), ROOT (Houston)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (16-16): New York has lost six of its last eight games and scored less than 100 points in each of the past two, but point guard Derrick Rose is much more concerned about the fact the squad has given up 100 or more points in 11 of its last 12 contests. "I don't even want to talk about offense," Rose told reporters after the loss to the Pelicans. "If we came out and played defense, I think it would be a totally different game. I mean, we're giving them everything - 3-point line, pull-ups - I mean, whatever they want." Power forward Kristaps Porzingis delivered 21 points and 12 rebounds against New Orleans for his sixth double-double of the month and eighth this season.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (25-9): Second-year pro Montrezl Harrell recently received an increase in playing time after starting center Clint Capela fractured his fibula, and the Louisville product registered a career-best 29 points in the beatdown against the Clippers. The impressive showing against Los Angeles defensive force DeAndre Jordan was stunning as Harrell was 10-of-14 from the field and 9-of-13 from the line. "I play with a huge chip on my shoulder," Harrell told reporters. "I play the 5-spot. I'm only 6-8, which is undersized, but I just play with a lot of heart and a lot of passion."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Harden posted 30 points and 15 assists as the Rockets rolled to a 118-99 victory over the Knicks on Nov. 2.
2. Houston backup SG Eric Gordon was 4-of-5 from 3-point range on Friday and has made four or more in 14 of his last 19 games.
3. New York SG Courtney Lee (wrist) likely will miss his third straight contest.