NBA roundup: Understaffed Bucks take down Nets

Bobby Portis led all players with 28 points and 13 rebounds, and Brook Lopez added 24 and 10 as the shorthanded Milwaukee Bucks took down the visiting — and likewise short-handed — Brooklyn Nets 118-113 on Thursday.

Lopez also finished with a career-high nine blocks, the most by a player in an NBA game this season. Grayson Allen finished with 19 points while Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton each had 11. The balanced contributions were particularly key with Giannis Antetokounmpo out of the lineup with right hand soreness.

Brooklyn was led by Patty Mills (23 points) and Cam Thomas (21) — both coming off the bench. Mikal Bridges, who had averaged more than 26 points per game since being acquired from Phoenix, was limited to just 10 points on 4-for-13 shooting.

The Bucks won their third straight and have won 19 of their last 20 games. Brooklyn saw its three-game winning streak snapped while playing without Ben Simons, Nic Claxton, Spencer Dinwiddie, Cameron Johnson and Royce O’Neale.

Kings 122, Knicks 117

Domantas Sabonis recorded 24 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his ninth triple-double of the season to lead Sacramento over visiting New York.

De’Aaron Fox scored 15 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to help the Kings win for the seventh time in eight games. Malik Monk added 19 points, Trent Lyles had 16 and Kevin Huerter chipped in 14 for Sacramento.

RJ Barrett had 25 points, Julius Randle amassed 23 points and 10 rebounds and Quentin Grimes scored 19 points as New York lost its second straight game following a season-best nine consecutive victories.