Cavaliers win second in row over Bucks; Rockets rip Suns
CLEVELAND — Kyrie Irving had 31 points and a career-high 13 assists, and LeBron James scored 29 as the Cleveland Cavaliers won their second game in two nights over the Milwaukee Bucks, 113-102 on Wednesday.
The NBA champs were not at full strength as Kevin Love didn’t dress for the second straight game with a bruised left knee, and J.R. Smith sat out after breaking his right thumb Tuesday at Milwaukee. Smith needs surgery, and the Cavs won’t have a timetable on his return until after the operation.
They were missed, but Cleveland’s two biggest stars more than made up for the absences
as the Cavs won for the eighth time in nine games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 28 points and Jabari Parker 27 for the Bucks.
ROCKETS 125, SUNS 111: In Phoenix, James Harden had 27 points and 14 assists, propelling Houston to a win over Phoenix for its 11th victory in 12 games.
Eric Gordon added 24 points off the Rockets’ bench, shooting 7-for-13 on 3-pointers. Patrick Beverley finished with 18 points, nine assists and nine rebounds.
Houston was 18-for-38 from 3-point range. THUNDER 121, PELICANS
110: In New Orleans, Russell Westbrook had 42 points and 10 rebounds as Oklahoma City beat New Orleans.
Alex Abrines scored nine of his 18 points during a pivotal 11-0 run early in the fourth quarter. The surge gave the Thunder a 100-87 lead with 9:18 left and New Orleans never got within eight points after that.
Enes Kanter, who hit a hook shot during that spurt, finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
WIZARDS 107, BULLS 97: In Chicago, John Wall had 23 points and nine assists as Washington rallied past Chicago for its third road victory of the season.
Trey Burke and Marcus Thornton came off the Washington bench to spark a decisive fourth-quarter burst. After the teams entered the fourth quarter
tied at 77, Burke and Thornton combined for 10 points to give the Wizards a 91-85 lead. TIMBERWOLVES 92, HAWKS
84: In Atlanta, Andrew Wiggins scored 19 points and KarlAnthony Towns had 17 points and 18 rebounds as Minnesota beat Atlanta.
Zach LaVine added 18 points for the Timberwolves, who earned consecutive wins for the first time since April 5-9.
KINGS 94, JAZZ 93: In Salt Lake City, DeMarcus Cousins scored 21 points and Sacramento rallied from a 20-point deficit to beat Utah.
The Kings used an 11-3 run, led by Ty Lawson and five free throws by Cousins, to take a
91-89 lead with 25.9 seconds remaining. It was their first lead since the first quarter. MAVERICKS 96, TRAIL BLAZERS 95: In Portland, Ore., Harrison Barnes had 28 points and Dallas held off a rally by Portland that ended when Damian Lillard missed a 3-pointer at the final buzzer.
Deron Williams added 23 points for the Mavericks, who led by 25 early in the third quarter.
GRIZZLIES 98, PISTONS 86: In Auburn Hills, Mich., Marc Gasol matched a career high with 38 points on 14-of-17 shooting as Memphis beat Detroit.
The Grizzlies ended their three-game losing streak. Detroit lost its fourth straight.