In-form James Harden stars as Rockets beat Celtics

James Harden poured in 45 points as the Houston Rockets beat the Boston Celtics 127-113.

Harden, who has not scored less than 35 in each of his last five games, added six assists, while Clint Capela got 24 points in the win.

Kyrie Irving top scored for the Celtics with 23 points and 11 assists.

Giannis Antetokounmpo helped the Milwaukee Bucks see off the New York Knicks, with 31 points and 14 rebounds in a 112-96 victory.

New York have now lost six games in a row.

Elsewhere the Los Angeles Lakers, without LeBron James, lost 117-116 to the Sacramento Kings, with Bogdan Bogdanovic scoring a three-pointer on the buzzer.

The Philadelphia 76ers scored 35 points in the second as they beat the Utah Jazz 114-97 and the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers took it to overtime, with a Damian Lillard three-pointer helping Portland to a 110-109 win.