Dragic’s clutch basket lifts Heat to win
MIAMI — Goran Dragic scored in the lane with 6.8 seconds remaining to cap a wild finish, and the Miami Heat improved the NBA’s best home record to 14-1 by defeating the Indiana Pacers 113-112 on Friday night.
Dragic’s shot was the third by Miami on the go-ahead possession after Jimmy Butler and Kendrick Nunn both missed, but the Heat were able to grab offensive rebounds to keep hope alive.
Aaron Holiday had a chance to win it for Indiana, but his 10-footer with about a second left bounced away.
BUCKS 112, HAWKS 86
Khris Middleton scored 23 points, Ersan Ilyasova had season highs of 18 points and 17 rebounds, and NBA-leading Milwaukee overcame Giannis Antetokunmpo’s absence to win at Atlanta.
Antetokunmpo, the league MVP last season and second-leading scorer this season, sat out because of back soreness.
The Hawks lost their ninth straight to drop to a league-worst 6-26. They lost guard Trae Young, the NBA’s fourth-leading scorer, to a right ankle sprain late in the second quarter.
MAGIC 98, 76ERS 97
Evan Fournier scored 20 points, and Orlando survived a collapse from the free throw line in the final minute of a win over visiting Philadelphia.
Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris each had 24 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers.
CELTICS 129, CAVALIERS 117
Jaylen Brown matched his career high with 34 points, and host Boston beat Cleveland for its fifth straight victory.
THUNDER 104 HORNETS 102
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27 points, Dennis Schroder added 24, and Oklahoma City beat host Charlotte in overtime for its fifth win in six games.
WARRIORS 105, SUNS 96
D’Angelo Russell had 31 points, and Golden State outscored visiting Phoenix 39-18 in the final quarter to win its fourth straight.