With all of the NFL headlines (Deflate-gate) and such, you might have missed some great NBA news. Well, I made a list of the week’s great performances, slumping teams, and other headlines that could affect your team for the better or for the worse.

1. James Harden scores 45 points in blowout win over Pacers

Many Houston fans expected a big win when the Rockets hosted the Indiana Pacers on January 19. Well, they got something more than that in the game.

James Harden scored a season-high 45 points and added seven rebounds in a successful effort for Houston, and the Rockets beat the Pacers, 110-98. Harden scored 18 points, or 2/5 of his point total, in the third quarter to assist the Rockets.

This is the fourth game for Harden this season that he scored 40 points. In addition, his 45 points were one point off his career high. He achieved this in the 2012-2013 season against the Oklahoma City Thunder, when he scored 46 points. Harden upped his average point total per game to 27.1 points.

“[Harden’s] having a special year,” Houston coach Kevin McHale said to espn.go.com. “A couple of those shots he made [in the game], there’s nothing a defender can do.”

Pacers coach Frank Vogel had similar praise. “”He’s having … an MVP-type season,” Vogel said to espn.go.com. “He has to be in that conversation and was just way too much for us tonight.”

For the Rockets (29-13), Dwight Howard had a double-double with 14 points and 17 rebounds. Corey Brewer added 13 points.

The Pacers (15-28) were aided by C.J. Miles’s 23 points in the game. The team has now lost five straight games.

The Pacers made it close in a few instances, including a 41-40 game in the second quarter. However, the Rockets went on a 14-5 run to lead 55-45 at halftime. Then, they never turned back.

Harden had four three-pointers in the third quarter. If he can keep going on like this, he should be the MVP.

2. Knicks end 16-game losing streak vs. Pelicans, and then win three in a row.

The New York Knicks have been an embarrassment to New York City. They had just lost 16 straight and had not won since December 12 when they hosted the New Orleans Pelicans on January 19. But, fans finally had something to cheer about.

Carmelo Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and Langston Galloway added 21 points as the Knicks beat the Pelicans, 99-92. The Knicks were leading by 13 after the third quarter ended. Even though the Pelicans cut the deficit to a single point in the final point, New York was able to outlast them.

The Knicks (6-36) ended their second longest losing streak in the franchise’s history. Their longest streak of losses was 20. In addition, it was their first home win since beating the Philadelphia 76ers on November 22. They had lost twelve straight at Madison Square Garden.

In a losing effort for the Pelicans (20-21), Tyreke Evans had 23 points and nine rebounds. The team played without Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday, who were both out again with injuries.

The Knicks continued their celebrations over the next two games. The Knicks won at Philadelphia, and then at home again against the Orlando Magic to push a single win into a three game winning streak. And, even though they lost on January 24 at the Charlotte Hornets. you can hear the optimism from New York Knicks executives, players, and fans.

3. Hawks win 15 in a row

The Atlanta Hawks have been on fire. They are 36-8, and are the second best team in the NBA. In addition, they have all but secured the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. Well, their success just might have gotten a little sweeter.

The Hawks have won 15 straight games. This streak dates back to December 27 of last year. They have won via a blowout against teams such as the Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors, and the Detroit Pistons. In addition, they have beaten the Wizards, Raptors, and Chicago Bulls, who are the Hawks’ main enemies at the top of the Eastern Conference.

The Hawks are rolling right now, especially after starting the season 7-6. If they can keep this recipe for success, they can pretty much bake a championship cake right now.

4. Thompson scores 52, 37 in 3rd quarter in win over Sacramento

The Golden State Warriors knew they had something special when they played Klay Thompson. Well, he proved that opinion was even more right than one could think.

Thompson scored 52 points, including 37 points in the third quarter, to help the Warriors beat the Sacramento Kings, 126-101.

Thompson connected on all 13 shots in the third quarter, including nine three-pointers and an additional two free throws. He scored 19 straight points in the third quarter before a pass to Draymond Green on a layup. His shooting streak ended in the fourth quarter as he missed a 21 footer in the first minutes of the last scoring period. His 37 points in a quarter is the most in NBA history, breaking the record set by George Gervin (1978) and Carmelo Anthony (2008), who had 33 points each in their respective quarters.

Thompson finished the game with 52 points on 16 made field goals out of 25. He also shot 11 of 15 from beyond the arc and 90% on free throws. Thompson also added five assists and four steals for the Warriors (35-6).

For the Kings (16-27), DeMarcus Cousins scored 28 points and 11 rebounds, as his double-double could not help the Kings win a needed game.

It would be a shame if Thompson did not make the All-Star game. He is a monster on the court, and can only be stopped by a few things (1. A brick wall…).

5. Pacers, Lakers lose seven straight

This has been a miserable season for both the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers. Between an abundance of hurt players and a lack of points scored per game, neither of these teams have been able to consistently win. Well, recently, their last seven games each have added insult to injury.

The Los Angeles Lakers have lost seven straight games to slump to a record of 12-32. The team has suffered terrible losses to the Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, and Phoenix Suns. In addition, these losses are being overshadowed by Kobe Bryant, who could be out for the season with a rotator cuff injury. Furthermore, the Lakers have only won one of their last ten games.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers have also lost their last seven. This streak includes equally bad losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Charlotte Hornets, and the Atlanta Hawks. They have won two of their last ten games, but are still pretty bad.

Both of these teams are slumping something awful, so if they do not want to join the league’s worst (Hey, New York!), they might want to win.