ANTETOKOUNMPO RETURNS TO HELP BUCKS ROUT NETS

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points in his return from a one-game absence, Khris Middleton added 15 of his 20 in the third quarter and the Milwaukee Bucks blew out the Brooklyn Nets 121-109 on Friday night on the road.

Bobby Portis scored 20 of his 25 in the first half to help the Bucks snap a two-game skid. The last loss came without Antetokounmpo, who didn’t play Wednesday night against Toronto because of an illness unrelated to COVID-19.

The Bucks are without coach Mike Budenholzer,

Bucks 121, Nets 109

point guard Jrue Holiday and a number of other key players because of coronavirus health and safety protocols, but got big games from some who did play. Antetokounmpo had nine assists and seven rebounds, and Portis grabbed 12 boards.

Kevin Durant had 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Nets, who have lost five straight home games. James Harden finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Lakers 134, Hawks 118: LeBron James scored 23 of his 32 points in the second half, Malik Monk added a season-high 29 points and host Los Angeles held off Atlanta for its first four-game winning streak of the season. Avery Bradley and Talen Horton-Tucker scored 21 points apiece for the Lakers, who have won five of six overall while remaining perfect on a five-game homestand that ends Sunday.

Cavaliers 114, Trail Blazers 101: Darius Garland had 26 points and Rajon Rondo scored 11 off the bench in his Cavaliers debut, leading Cleveland to a win at Portland. It was the Cavaliers’ 22nd win, matching their total for all of last season when they finished 13th in the Eastern Conference.

76ers 119, Spurs 100: Joel Embiid had 31 points and 12 rebounds and host Philadelphia beat short-handed San Antonio for its sixth straight victory.

Seth Curry and Tobias Harris each scored 23 points for the 76ers.

Dejounte Murray scored 27 points for San Antonio.

Raptors 122, Jazz 108: Fred VanVleet had 37 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first career triple-double, OG Anunoby scored 22 points and Toronto ended Utah’s road winning streak at 10.

Pascal Siakam scored 17 points, Chris Boucher had 13, Scottie Barnes had 11 and Gary Trent Jr. added 10 to help the Raptors extend their winning streak to five.

Eric Paschall scored a career-high 29 points for Utah.

Mavericks 130, Rockets 106: Tim Hardaway Jr. had 19 points and seven assists to lead host Dallas to a win over Houston despite missing its two stars.

Dallas was without Luka Doncic, who was sidelined with a right ankle sprain, and Kristaps Porzingis, who missed his fourth straight game in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

Bulls 130, Wizards 122: Zach LaVine scored points, Coby White added 21 and host Chicago won its ninth straight. The Eastern Conference-leading Bulls matched their longest win streak since the 2010-11 team won nine in a row to finish the regular season.

Timberwolves 135, Thunder 105: D’Angelo Russell had 27 points and 12 assists and visiting Minnesota routed Oklahoma City for its third straight victory. Russell made 11 of 12 field goals and 4 of 5 3-pointers.

Nuggets 121, Kings 111: Nikola Jokic had 33 points and 10 rebounds and host Denver beat Sacramento to end a two-game losing streak.