The Rockets returned from a short break to blowout the Magic despite some sluggish second-half moments.

The Rockets took advantage of their first three-game break of the season and came out with some crisp offense and a renewed focus on getting the ball inside to complement their usual three-point attack. They scored 52 points in the paint to go along with 16 three pointers on 38 attempts to lead the team to a 128-104 victory over the Orlando Magic.

Oklahoma City, Memphis big man Zach Randolph made a layup to put the Grizzlies up 102-99. It seemed like a game that was going to come down to the wire. Then Russell Westbrook turned it into his personal exhibition.

The Portland Trail Blazers tried to find a way to lose to the Dallas Mavericks, but their shooting guard said, “Nay Nay!”

Of late the performances of the Portland Trail Blazers could be termed “sporadic”. That’s if you like three-syllable words and were being charitable. Otherwise the sub-.500 team would be described as “limp and mediocre, headed towards bad” or, more simply, “disappointing”.

Job well done Mr. Triple double.

From Nov. 26 to Dec. 9, Westbrook piled up seven straight triple-doubles, becoming the first player since Michael Jordan in 1989 to do that. Westbrook’s streak was snapped on Dec. 11 when he only recorded six assists.

Someone's streak was going to continue Tuesday. The Charlotte Hornets were simply happy it wasn't them as they snapped a seven-game losing streak and held onto a 111-107 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

Charlotte (24-28) had not won since a Jan. 21 triumph over Brooklyn. The Nets (9-43) dropped their 10th straight, and still have not won since a Jan. 20 victory at New Orleans.

The 2017 All-Star Game was originally scheduled to be held in Charlotte, but the NBA moved it to New Orleans after the state of North Carolina failed to repeal the HB2 legislation that strips anti-discrimination protection for LGBTQ people. It will take place on Feb. 19, with All-Star Saturday happening the night before and the Rising Stars Challenge taking place the night before then.

The Dallas Mavericks signed free agent Yogi Ferrell last Saturday in desperation. Another 10-day contract player, Pierre Jackson, went down with a hamstring injury, and the Mavericks already were depleted at guard. Deron Williams has missed four straight games with a toe injury, J.J. Barea is continuing to miss time with a calf injury — the third time he’s hurt it this season — and on Friday, Devin Harris missed the game with illness, too.

The Warriors scored 117 points in three quarters, the most by any team through three this season.

Warriors-Clippers is normally a rivalry matchup between two teams wanting to impose their will on one another, but Golden State put this one away early.

Without Chris Paul, who’s out nursing a broken thumb, Stephen Curry went bananas, scoring 43 points on 15-for-23 shooting, including a barrage of nine three-pointers to give his Warriors a whopping 117-74 lead at the end of the third quarter.