HORFORD, IRVING LEAD CELTICS PAST BUCKS 96-89

MILWAUKEE» Al Horford had 27 points and nine rebounds, and the Celtics beat the Bucks 96-89 on Thursday night.

Kyrie Irving added 24 points and seven assists for Boston, which avenged a loss to Milwaukee in Boston earlier this month.

The game was played at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, formerly known as the MECCA, which served as the Bucks’ home from 1968 until the team moved into the Bradley Center in 1988.

The Bucks chose to play one game this season at the 11,000seat arena to mark the franchise’s 50th anniversary. The team will move into a new arena next season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points for Milwaukee.

THURSDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

Lauri Markkanen scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half, including a key 3-pointer with 48.5 seconds left, and the Bulls beat the Hawks 91-86 for their first win of the season. Markkanen also grabbed 13 rebounds, leading a dominant rebounding effort for Chicago. Robin Lopez had 16 points and eight rebounds and reserve David Nwaba finished with 15 points and 11 boards, helping the Bulls to a whopping 62-40 advantage on the glass. … Marc Gasol had 25 points and 13 rebounds, Mike Conley added 22 points and the Grizzlies held on for a 96-91 victory over the Mavericks. Memphis held a 20-point lead in the third quarter, but the Mavericks cut into the lead behind Wesley Matthews, who finished with 18 points and made four 3-pointers in the period. A fourth-quarter push gave the Mavericks an 86-84 lead with 3:56 left when J.J. Barea converted three free throws, capping an 18-8 run to open the quarter.

FOOTNOTE

Stern backs medical marijuana. Former NBA commissioner David Stern believes medical marijuana use by players should be allowed, but the league says it won’t allow it for recreational use. Stern was interviewed by ex-NBA player Al Harrington for the website Uninterrupted’s documentary “Concept of Cannabis.” Stern said he thought there was “universal agreement that marijuana for medical purposes should be completely legal.” Adam Silver, who replaced Stern as commissioner in 2014, has said he is interested in studying more about the safety of medical marijuana.