Houston Dims Golden State;Snowy Jerusalem

The Houston Rockets overpowered the Golden State Warriors 116-112 Friday night at Oracle Arena in Oakland.The fourth period was a closely fought battle after the Wariors had trailed by about 10 points most of the game.In the end,however,the Rockets' powerful combination of James Harden,Chandler Parsons and Dwight Howard was just a bit stronger than the Warriors' top performers David Lee,Harrison Barnes and Stephen Curry.
Dwight Howard said he had been working a lot with the NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwan and Rockets coach Kevin McHale.He contributed 18 points,11 rebounds and 3 assists to the winning effort.James Harden led the Rockets in scoring with his 26 points,2 rebounds and 9 assists.Chandler Parsons added 23 points,1 rebound and 3 assists.
For the Warriors,David Lee topped with 23 points,10 rebounds and 2 blocks.Big man Andrew Bogut impressed with two one-hand jams as the Warriors narrowed the gap and even led briefly late in the game.Warriors star Stephen Curry had an off night with 20 points,2 rebounds and 9 assists.He is 6th in the league in points and assists.*
A vast snowstorm is moving eastward across the United States,buttressed by a stubborn dome of cold air from Canada.It is spanning more than 1,000 miles/1609.3 km.Plowable snow will extend from Missouri east to New Jersey,North to Maine and South to Virginia.
The extent of the snowpack in the US is extraordinary for this date.Last year it covered 30.8% as of 12 December;this year it covers 58.6%.It also goes farther south than normal,reaching all the way to North Texas.This is attributable to the persistent arctic air that has spread so widely.*
Overseas,there has been a rare snowstorm in the Middle East.Jerusalem was in chaos as it faced the worst snow in 50 years,receiving up to 4 inches/10.16 cm.Airports,roads and schools were closed,and the snow even spread into the Egyptian desert just outside Cairo.

Rockets On Playoffs Track;Valero Texas Open

The Houston Rockets continued their drive to the NBA Playoffs by dominating the Portland Trailblazers Friday night 116-98.The Rockets bumped their record up to 43-33 on the strength of James Harden and Jeremy Lin's play.
Harden scored 33 points with 7 rebounds and 6 assists,and has scored at least 20 points 61 times this season,putting him in pursuit of Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon's record of 67 20-point games in a season.Olajuwon was a 12-time NBA All-Star and MVP in 1994.He also played for the Rockets nearly his entire career,retiring from the Toronto Raptors in 2002.The Nigerian-born,7-foot tall Olajuwon is the all-time leader in blocks;8th in total points scored;and 11th in rebounds.
Jeremy Lin contributed 22 points,4 rebounds and 8 assists to the Rockets' important win.For the Trail Blazers,LaMarcus Aldridge led with 32 points,13 rebounds and 3 assists,while Wesley Matthews notched 18 points,3 rebounds and 4 assists.
Portland is out of playoff contention.
Attending the game at the Rose Garden in Portland,Oregon were 20,400 fans.
At the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio,American Billy Horschel topped the leader board after the second round Friday at eight under par.Horschel,26,came in second at last week's Shell Houston Open and has made 9 of 10 cuts this season.He turned pro in 2009.
Former world number one Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland was still in contention Friday at five under par.
The Izod IndyCar Series moves to the Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds,Alabama for the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama on Sunday.The NBC Sports channel will carry the race live at 3pm Eastern.