Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Tuesday Commissioner's apology for text incident doesn't sway family Since You Asked: State requires headlight use in bad weather Emergency Services Kitchenware, sheets would ease stress of starting over for mom and son Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Man wearing fake beard robs Medford bank Police still hunting for third suspect tied to bomb threats, high speed chase Josephine County scrambles to house juvenile offenders Emergency Services Politics and Elections State certifies recount showing failure of GMO-labeling measure Time running out for O&C funds GMO vote recount still shows little change GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means Education Ruch school class focuses on the natural environment Bethel Church helps families at McLoughlin Middle School Logos may offer students 'fifth year' at RCC or SOU St. Mary's plays host to youth robotics tournament A lesson in giving Environment Biologist resigns over LNG reporting failure Bird flu discovered in Winston backyard flock Jackson County holds back on enforcing GMO ban for now No fish, no funding for problem dams Most residents speak against gas pipeline State News Oregon to step up water quality checks on farms Questions remain in death of Oklahoma teen Impostor makes off with Salvation Army donations in Corvallis, Albany Faith-healing couple sentenced to 10 years for death of diabetic daughter Uber suspends operations in Portland for 3 months Nation - World Obama makes Maduro’s ‘insolent Yankees’ line harder to sell Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Emile Victor Caloz Donna J. (Hall) Green Death Notices Eva Mae Clement Gerald Steve Stebbins Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable ACCESS receives $50,000 donation from Wells Fargo Sports Latest Stories Dixon’s buzzer-beater gives North title After layoff, Wisconsin knocks off Cal Abdul-Bassit boosts Ducks in OT Upon return, Parker fuels Spurs’ win Bengals top Broncos to reach playoffs Varsity 541 College Sports After layoff, Wisconsin knocks off Cal Abdul-Bassit boosts Ducks in OT Memphis wins thriller, then brawl breaks out Beaver women in top 10 for first time Gutches, Johnson lead Raiders to eighth at Reno TOC Pro Sports Upon return, Parker fuels Spurs’ win Bengals top Broncos to reach playoffs Harden lights up Blazers Harbaugh skirts topic of his, 49ers' future On the rise Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Silvio Calabi: GLA250 is a Merc for the masses Blog: The Holidays Have Arrived Falling gas prices help spur travel at Medford airport Employment in Oregon surpasses pre-recession levels Free lunchtime presentation covers business planning Real Estate News Rental owners group reports 2.48 percent vacancy rate More sales, but no change in residential housing median price People In Business People in Business, Dec. 3 Transportation Falling gas prices help spur travel at Medford airport Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Agriculture K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Opinion Latest Our View: One more try for Josephine safety levy Letters to the Editor, Dec. 23 Michael Gerson: Room for non-conformity nurtures genius Granlund cartoon: Holiday carry-on bags Granlund cartoon: Christmas Day creche Editorials Our View: One more try for Josephine safety levy Other Views: Kingsley Field jobs are welcome Our View: Be careful when you donate Other Views: Detective's sentence violates public trust Our View: Cheers and jeers Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 23 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 22 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 21 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 19 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 18 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Loved one chose death with dignity in Oregon Guest Opinion: Forest thinning means water for the future Guest Opinion: Suit threatens family farms and democratic vote Guest Opinion: SOU pool decision short-sighted Guest Opinion: It's time for biologists to let OR-7 go dark Lifestyle Latest stories Dear Monty: Can a rookie real estate agent be a good choice? Shayne Looper: Away — or rather, the way — in a manger Bathtub or shower: What’s best for you? Food for Thought: Wintertime wining and dining Religion news: Judge rules boy can be given transfusion, despite parents’ religious objections Food Food for Thought: Wintertime wining and dining Kitchen Call: The comfort of creamy soups Community blog: Baking contest finalists combine cookies, candies Community blog: 'Cookbook Book' digests genre's past 300 years Community blog: Liver pat� an easy nosh for Hanukkah and beyond Home and Garden Dear Monty: Can a rookie real estate agent be a good choice? Bathtub or shower: What’s best for you? Home Help: Home safety tips for a safe and happy winter season How NOT to install drywall Dear Monty: Siblings dispute inherited real estate Health Health Watch: Small diet changes can make a big difference Community blog: Removing Barriers Is Good Insurance Health Watch: Change up your treadmill workout Community blog: A Dark Night of Healing and Hope Community blog: The Promise of Hope � and Health - Fulfilled Hiking Biking Faith Churches, synagogs host seasonal events Bethel Church helps families at McLoughlin Middle School Milestones and Achievements Fans, friends and family welcome home victorious SOU team at airport Wedding: Boldt-Mahon Order of Elks national office revokes Medford lodge's charter Jackson County's new health building complete, will serve clients in February Ashland celebrates 'Wild' screening with Cheryl Strayed Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories In the Pocket releases 'I Got News' Live Music in Local Clubs Celebrate winter solstice with the Bad Film Society Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present 'The Holly and the Ivy' Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas" returns to the Craterian Theater Theater ACT presents reading of 'The Quality of Life' Meet the real Jacob Marley This Nutcracker ballet will have a superhero twist Plumbing the depths of meaning TMTO presents 'A Christmas Carol: The Musical' Music In the Pocket releases 'I Got News' Live Music in Local Clubs Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present 'The Holly and the Ivy' Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas" returns to the Craterian Theater Seattle rock band Smokey Brights plays Howiee's Community Events Celebrate winter solstice with the Bad Film Society Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas" returns to the Craterian Theater Stefan Baumann and Eugene Bennett highlight Third Fridays Dancing People Company celebrates the solstice Dance to the Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Dining Food for Thought: Wintertime wining and dining Coffee shops roll out holiday-inspired drinks Over Easy serves 'pop-up' brunch Sundays Ooblies Artisan Waffle Sandwiches Brunch at Loft Brasserie Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Our View: One more try for Josephine safety levy ... Man wearing fake beard robs Medford bank ... Former Ashland student saves surfer from pounding waves ... Our View: One more try for Josephine safety levy ... Man wearing fake beard robs Medford bank ... Former Ashland student saves surfer from pounding waves ... NBA Harden lights up Blazers Rockets' star has 44 to help end Portland win streak Comment By Kristie Rieken The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Kristie Rieken The Associated Press Posted Dec. 23, 2014 @ 2:00 am By Kristie Rieken The Associated Press Posted Dec. 23, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Social News HOUSTON — James Harden wouldn't admit he was thinking about last season in Houston's first game against Portland since the Trail Blazers eliminated the Rockets from the playoffs in the first round. Dwight Howard was certain he was. "I know it's kind of like a weight off his back because of what happened in the playoffs against Portland," Howard said. "And (Monday) he just destroyed them." Harden scored a season-high 44 points to help the Rockets cruise to a 110-95 victory and snap a two-game skid. "Last year, nah. What happened the last two games," Harden said when asked if he had a chip on his shoulder from the early playoff exit. "Two losses at home is unacceptable, so we wanted to come out here and not make it a third." The Trail Blazers were without leading scorer and rebounder LaMarcus Aldridge, who missed the game with an upper-respiratory illness, and had their five-game winning streak snapped. "Defensively we didn't give much resistance in the first half and they took advantage of that," coach Terry Stotts said. "Offensively we turned the ball over too much and really weren't able to mount any kind of legitimate comeback." Harden had 31 in the first half to help the Rockets erase an early eight-point deficit and take a 20-point halftime lead. The Blazers didn't threaten after that and Harden went to the bench for good with about 4 minutes left and Houston up 107-86. It was Harden's NBA-leading third 40-point game this season, with all of them coming this month. Harden, who leads the NBA in scoring, has had 11 games with at least 30 points this season, which also leads the league. "He played really well," coach Kevin McHale said. "That was about as much juice and energy that we've played with in a long time." Damian Lillard led Portland with 18 points and CJ McCollum added 17. Harden came just two points shy of his career high, set against Oklahoma City last season. He also had seven assists and five steals, while Howard added 16 points and 13 rebounds. The Trail Blazers scored eight straight points, with five coming from Lillard, to cut the lead to 84-70 midway through the third quarter. But Houston used a 9-2 run to push it to 93-72 with 2 minutes left in the period. Jason Terry hit a 3-pointer to become the third player in NBA history to make 2,000 3-pointers and push Houston's lead to 96-76 entering the fourth quarter. Ray Allen and Reggie Miller are the other players to reach the plateau. The Rockets, who lead the league in 3-pointers, made 13 on Monday night. Wesley Matthews received a flagrant foul when he knocked Donatas Motiejunas to the ground when the two were fighting for a loose ball early in the third quarter. A highlight for Harden came in the second quarter, when he drove into the lane and threw up an off-balance shot that swished through the net as he was fouled by Matthews. Harden high-fived several fans in courtside seats as Matthews jawed with officials to draw a technical foul. Harden made both free throws to leave Houston up 57-45. He had eight points in the quarter after that, including a layup at the buzzer with two defenders on him to make it 73-53 at halftime. TIP-INS: Trail Blazers: Aldridge didn't come to the arena, instead staying at the team hotel to rest. Stotts said before the game that he wasn't sure if Aldridge would be able to play on Tuesday night. ... Monday was the first time this season that Portland has allowed 10 or more 3-pointers in a game. Rockets: Terrence Jones (left leg nerve inflammation) remains out for Houston. ... Houston's 73 points were a season high a first half. NEW FACES Corey Brewer and Alexey Shved made their debuts for the Rockets after being acquired in a three-team trade on Friday. Brewer came to Houston from the Timberwolves and Shved was playing for the 76ers. Brewer had 12 points, five steals and four assists, and Shved had three points and a rebound. UP NEXT Trail Blazers: Visit Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Rockets: Visit Memphis on Friday. By Kristie Rieken The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Kristie Rieken The Associated Press Posted Dec. 23, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football Post-Week 16 Fantasy Reaction for Broncos Dec. 23, 2014 at 12:55 am Best Fantasy Keepers for 2015 Dec. 22, 2014 at 11:34 am Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups Dec. 22, 2014 at 10:00 am Rankings, Projections and Waiver-Wire Tips for Fantasy Week 17 Dec. 22, 2014 at 9:00 am Early 2015 RB Fantasy Rankings Dec. 22, 2014 at 9:00 am Biggest Fantasy Takeaways from '14 Dec. 22, 2014 at 12:28 am calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501