Bucks roll on, Rockets upset
LOS ANGELES: Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 32 points as the Bucks downed the Orlando Magic in Milwaukee to extend their winning streak to 15 games on Monday and maintain their grip on the Eastern Conference standings.
Antetokounmpo delivered a dominant performance in a 110-101 victory, making 12 of 22 shots from the field while chipping in with 15 rebounds and eight assists.
Khris Middleton had 20 points while Donte DiVincenzo had 12 off the bench as the Bucks improved to 21-3 at the top of the Eastern Conference.
The Bucks were in control from the outset, building an 11-point cushion by the end of the first quarter to lead 31-20 and remaining in front for the rest of the game.
Antetokounmpo admitted he was delighted with the Bucks’ winning streak.
“It’s amazing. I’m not gonna lie,” he told reporters. “When you go home and sit down and think about it, it’s amazing. And we can still extend it.”
The Boston Celtics remain hard on the heels of the Bucks in the Eastern Conference race, improving to 17-5 after a 110-88 rout of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.
The Celtics jumped into a 29-18 lead in the first quarter and kept the throttle down, at one point leading by 29 points.
In Houston, Nemanja Bjelica sank a three-pointer on the buzzer as the Sacramento Kings upset the Rockets 119-118 in a thrilling Western Conference battle.
Russell Westbrook looked to have given the Rockets the lead after a lay-up with one second of the fourth quarter remaining to put Houston 118116 ahead.
But Bjelica’s three stunned the home crowd and completed a roller-coaster win for the Kings, who improved to 10-13 with the victory.
Buddy Hield led the Sacramento scoring with 26 points, while power forward Bjelica finished with 17 points and Harrison Barnes 19.
In Chicago, the NBA champions Toronto Raptors were given a scare before securing a late 93-92 victory against the Bulls.
Pascal Siakam topscored for the Raptors with 22 points, but it was Kyle Lowry who made the winning basket, a lay-up with only 50 seconds remaining that put Toronto narrowly in front of the Bulls.
In Indianapolis, Paul George returned to haunt his former team as the Los Angeles Clippers scored a 110-99 victory over the Pacers.