Mavericks halt Toronto’s winning streak
Mavericks 98 Raptors 93
DALLAS — J.J. Barea scored 20 points, including a clinching a layup in the final seconds, and the Dallas Mavericks ended another six-game winning streak by Toronto with a 98-93 victory over the Raptors on Tuesday night.
The Mavericks held DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors to season lows in shooting percentage as Toronto lost for just the second time in 14 games, with each loss coming after six straight wins.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 18 points and fellow German Maxi Kleber had 15 points and matched his rookie season best with five blocks. Harrison Barnes had 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Kyle Lowry led Toronto with 23 points but didn’t score in the fourth quarter, while DeRozan couldn’t get going at all after averaging 37 points on a three-game road winning streak that ended.
BULLS 115, BUCKS 106
In Milwaukee, Nikola Mirotic came off the bench to score 24 points in 28 minutes and the Bulls won for the eighth time in 10 games, beating the Bucks.
Chicago’s surge coincides with the return of Mirotic, who missed the beginning of the season after suffering facial fractures in an October fight with teammate Bobby Portis. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 28 points to pace Milwaukee, which has lost five of seven.
PISTOSN 107, PACERS 83
In Detroit, Tobias Harris scored 30 points to help the Pistons rout the Pacers.
The victory moved the Pistons (19-14) past the Pacers (19-15) and into second spot in the NBA’s Central Division.
Andre Drummond added 21 points for the Pistons. Ish Smith (12 points) also reached double digits for Detroit.
HEAT 107, MAGIC 89
In Miami, Josh Richardson scored 20 points, Wayne Ellington had 12 of his 18 points in a dominant fourth quarter and the Heat beat the struggling Magic.
Tyler Johnson added 17, Kelly Olynyk scored 15 and Goran Dragic had 14 for the Heat, who outscored Orlando 39-21 in the fourth.
Hassan Whiteside returned from an 11-game absence with a bone bruise in his left knee, adding seven points and eight rebounds in 18 minutes.
SPURS 109, NETS 97
In San Antonio, Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points, LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 and the Spurs beat the Nets in their first game of the season with every player healthy and available.
San Antonio is third in the Western Conference at 24-11 despite being without Leonard and/or Tony Parker for 30 games this season.
NUGGETS 107, JAZZ 83
In Denver, Jamal Murray scored 13 of his 22 points in the first quarter and the Nuggets overcame the ejection of Nikola Jokic to beat the Jazz.
SUNS 99, GRIZZLIES 97
In Phoenix, Tyson Chandler dunked Dragan Bender’s inbounds pass from the opposite sideline with 0.4 seconds remaining.