NBA wrap: Houston Rockets wins 11th straight

The Rockets were down by as much as 22 against the Suns, but Gerald Green made sure they wouldn't lose.

Houston Rockets' Gerald Green (14) celebrates with James Harden in an NBA game against Phoenix Suns.

When the Rockets picked up Gerald Green in the middle of the season they knew he could be a valuable rotation player, but it would be hard to believe they saw Friday coming.

Houston was down two with 1.4 seconds left after Josh Jackson gave the Suns a lead on a step-back jumper and the Rockets knew they needed a clutch shot. The logical men to take it were MVP candidate James Harden, perennial All-Star Chris Paul or even emerging star big man Clint Capela on an alley-oop, but none of those men got the final chance.

Read: LeBron James breaks Michael Jordan's double-digit record

It was Green taking the shot that made the Rockets into the team they are today: a corner 3-pointer. He was so excited he nearly injured Mike Dantoni after the game. In fact, he nearly broke the man's hand.

“After I did it, I looked back. ‘Oh, snap. I hit coach really hard on that one.’" Green who finished with 15 points told reporters. "I was like, ‘Coach, whenever I’m like that, don’t come give him a five. Don’t give me a high five, coach. That is not the time to high five me.’”

STUDS OF THE NIGHT

LeBron James had 27 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds and he passed Michael Jordan for the most consecutive double-digit scoring games in NBA history. The Cavaliers dropped the Pelicans 107-102.

Nuggets forward Paul Millsap had 36 points, nine rebounds and two assists in a 126-125 overtime win over the Thunder. Russell Westbrook finished with 33 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds.

DUD OF THE NIGHT

Bulls guard Jerian Grant went 2-for-12 shooting with five points in a 90-82 win over the Magic. Worse yet, he helped Chicago win a game in tanking season.

HIGHLIGHT

Philadelphia rookie Markelle Fultz may have lost the ability to shoot for a while, but he showed that he can still dunk in a 101-91 win over the Hawks.

WHAT'S NEXT

Raptors (55-20) at Celtics (52-23) — The Celtics are still without Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart, but that hasn't kept them from winning. Boston has dropped the Thunder, Trail Blazers and Jazz during its five-game winning streak behind rookie Jayson Tatum and veteran Marcus Morrist. It's almost pure entertainment just to watch how Brad Stevens schemes up a victory against a high-quality team shorthanded.