LOS ANGELES (AFP) – LaMarcus Aldridge bagged a double-double as the San Antonio Spurs handed the Philadelphia 76ers a chastening loss in a 123-96 blowout on Monday.
Aldridge spearheaded a fine all-round offensive display from San Antonio as the Spurs improved to 16-15 at the ATT Center in Texas.
Rudy Gay had 21 points while DeMar DeRozan also had 20 on a night when the Spurs comprehensively dominated the Sixers in all departments.
The Sixers slipped to 20-12 following the loss.
Ben Simmons and J.J. Redick had 16 points apiece for the Sixers, but Joel Embiid was restricted to 13 points while Jimmy Butler suffered an off-target night, making just three of 13 field goal attempts.
In Houston, James Harden exploded for 47 points as the Rockets overpowered the Utah Jazz 102-97 to extend their winning streak to four games on Monday.
Reigning NBA MVP Harden produced a dazzling display of scoring to delight the home fans at the Toyota Center with a win that took the Rockets above .500 for the season.
Houston are now 15-14 for the season while Utah have slipped to 14-17, one place off the bottom in the Western Conference.
Harden’s virtuoso display also included six rebounds and five assists. Three other Houston players made double figures, with P.J. Tucker finishing with 16 points and Eric Gordon adding 12 points.
