League concludes preseason play
From LeBron James’ arrival in Los Angeles to Jimmy Butler’s desire to leave Minnesota, it’s been an eventful NBA preseason.
It was a rocky one for the Timberwolves, who spent most of it dealing with the Butler drama and finished it dealing with Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had 32 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in just 25 minutes of Milwaukee’s 143-121 romp.
And it was a rough one for the Spurs, who lost three guards to injuries, including starting point guard Dejounte Murray for the season with a torn ACL.
Russell Westbrook (right knee) and Dirk Nowitzki (left ankle) couldn’t even get on the floor, still recovering from surgeries. Nowitzki has already been ruled out by Dallas coach Rick Carlisle for the regular-season opener next week.
It’s still unknown if Butler will be playing then—or for what team. He didn’t travel with the Timberwolves on Friday to Milwaukee, with coach Tom Thibodeau saying he remained behind to work on his conditioning.
The regular season begins Tuesday with Boston hosting Philadelphia, followed by Oklahoma City visiting defending champion Golden State.
SPURS 100, MAGIC 81
DeMar DeRozan scored 20 points, nine coming from the line, LaMarcus Aldridge had 13 points and 15 rebound and the injury-riddled Spurs reached the century mark for the fourth time this preseason.
Evan Fournier led the Magic with 23 points. UP NEXT: San Antonio (3-2) hosts Minnesota on Wednesday. Orlando (2-3) hosts Miami on Wednesday.
HORNETS 123, MAVERICKS 118
Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb each made three of Charlotte’s 19 3-pointers.
Walker scored 13 points in 17 minutes, Lamb added 11 points and rookie Miles Bridges had 13 points and seven rebounds.
DeAndre Jordan had 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Luka Doncic also scored 18 for Dallas, which recently returned from two games in China. UP NEXT: Charlotte (4-1) hosts Milwaukee on Wednesday. Dallas (2-2) plays at Phoenix on Wednesday.
PISTONS 129, CAVALIERS 110
Detroit’s big men dominated in East Lansing. Blake Griffin scored 29 points, Andre Drummond added 21 and the Pistons made 21 3-pointers at Michigan State’s Jack Breslin Student Events Center.
Rodney Hood led Cleveland with
21 points, 11 coming from the freethrow line.
UP NEXT: Detroit (2-3) host Brooklyn on Wednesday. Cleveland (2-2) plays at Toronto on Wednesday.
ROCKETS 121, GRIZZLIES 103
James Harden scored 23 points and Chris Paul and Clint Capela had double-doubles as Houston cruised at Memphis. Paul had 14 points and 11 assists and Capela 12 points with13 rebounds. Seven players scored in double figures for Houston, which made 20 of 47 3-pointers.
First-round draft pick Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Rockets with 18 points in 21 minutes.
UP NEXT: Houston (4-1) hosts New Orleans on Wednesday. … Memphis (2-3) plays at Indiana on Wednesday
BUCKS 143, TIMBERWOLVES 121
Giannis Antetokounmpo 32 points on 13-of-17 shooting, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as Milwaukee rolled at home. He had 14 points in the first quarter as the Bucks took a 43-27 lead and 28 at at the half when it was 84-53.
Taj Gibson had 21 points for the Timberwolves.
UP NEXT: Minnesota (1-4) plays at San Antonio on Wednesday. … Milwaukee (3-1) plays at Charlotte on Wednesday.