Celtics top Magic after week-long hiatus
BOSTON
Jaylen Brown had 21 points and eight assists, Semi Ojeleye added 18 points and the Boston Celtics rolled to an 124-97 win over the Orlando Magic on Friday night in their return to action following a virus-related week-long hiatus.
Jeff Teague finished with 17 points and rookie Payton Pritchard had 16 points to help Boston post its fifth straight win.
Boston returned to action after having three games postponed due to some players testing positive for the coronavirus and others being ruled out because contact tracing showed that they could have been exposed to it.
But the Celtics didn’t seem to be affected by the layoff, sharing the ball and turning stops into opportunities to run the floor against an Orlando team that struggled to find a rhythm at both ends of the floor.
Aaron Gordon had 17 points to lead the Magic, who have lost four straight. Nik Vucevic, Dwayne Bacon and Cole Anthony added 15 points apiece.
BUCKS 112, MAVERICKS 109 MILWAUKEE
Giannis Antetokounmpo overcame poor free-throw shooting to score 31 points, Khris Middleton hit two late 3-pointers and Milwaukee held off Dallas.
The Bucks improved to 9-4, winning their fourth straight and snapping the Mavericks’ winning streak at four.
Both teams wasted plenty of opportunities from the foul line. The Bucks were 12 of 25 on free throws, with Antetokounmpo going 1 of 10 and missing all seven of his fourth-quarter attempts. Dallas was 6 of 13.
Middleton scored 25 points for the Bucks.
Luka Doncic had 28 points and 13 assists for Dallas, and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 22 points.
Middleton took over after James Johnson’s corner 3-pointer with 3:09 left put Dallas ahead 104-103 — the Mavericks’ first lead since the opening five minutes.