Lillard delivers to help Bucks outlast Knicks
Damian Lillard scored 30 points and hit a goahead 3-pointer with 1:03 left as the Milwaukee Bucks outlasted the New York Knicks 110-105 on Friday to open the inaugural In-season Tournament.
The Bucks withstood a huge performance from Jalen Brunson, who had 45 points and gave the Knicks their first lead since early in the second quarter by hitting a 3 with 1:10 remaining. Brunson punctuated the shot by blowing a kiss to the crowd.
Lillard answered by sinking a 3-pointer of his own to put Milwaukee back ahead 104-103. After Brunson missed a 10-footer with 49 seconds left, Khris Middleton found Lillard cutting to the basket for a driving layup to start a 3-point play that made it 107-103 with 38 seconds to go.
Brook Lopez then delivered his eighth block of the night — he had totaled only two in Milwaukee’s first four games — and made one of two free throws with 17.8 seconds remaining. Brunson’s driving layup cut Milwaukee’s lead to 108-105 with 8.8 seconds left, but Lillard sealed the victory by hitting two free throws with 6.4 seconds to play.
Lillard made all 12 of his free-throw attempts.
Giannis Antetokounmpo added 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Bucks.
Quentin Grimes scored 17 points and Julius Randle had 16 for the Knicks, though Randle shot just 5 of 20.
Brunson’s 45 points were three off his career high. He had 48 against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 31.
WARRIORS 141,
THUNDER 139
Steph Curry led all scorers with 30 points, including two on a layup at the buzzer, Klay Thompson added 18 and Golden State outlasted Oklahoma City.
Luguentz Dort tied the game at 139-139 on two free throws with 16.1 second left and had a teamhigh 29 points. Chet Holgren contributed 24 for the Thunder.
PACERS 121, CAVALIERS 116
Myles Turner scored 27 points, Tyrese Haliburton had 18 points and 13 assists and Indiana held off Cleveland.
Donavan Mitchell had 38 points, nine assists and five rebounds for Cleveland. The Cavaliers overcame an 18-point deficit to lead by four in the fourth quarter.
Bruce Brown added 19 points and seven rebounds for Indiana.
HEAT 121, WIZARDS 114
Tyler Herro scored 24 points and was an assist shy of a triple-double, Jimmy Butler added 20 points and Miami snapped a four-game slide by beating Washington.
Herro finished with 11 rebounds and nine assists for Miami.
Kyle Kuzma had 22 points for Washington, which got 19 from Jordan Poole and 14 from Deni Avdija.
NETS 109, BULLS 107
Dorian Finney-smith scored 21 points, Mikal Bridges added 20 and Brooklyn beat Chicago.
Cam Thomas added 17 points and the Nets made just enough plays down the stretch and came away with the victory when Zach Lavine’s long jumper for the Bulls at the buzzer hit the rim.
Demar Derozan and Zach Lavine each scored 24 points for Chicago.