Bucks hold off late Celtics rally
MILWAUKEE — Khris Middleton had 27 points and 13 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks held off the Boston Celtics 121-119 on Wednesday night for their eighth consecutive victor y.
Milwaukee led by 25, but only secured the win when Boston’s Daniel Theis missed a wide-open corner 3-point attempt in the final seconds. The Bucks have won 13 of their last 14 games — a stretch that started after a five-game skid.
After trailing 90-65 midway through the third quarter, the Celtics cut the margin to two on Jaylen Brown’s 3-pointer with 1:32 left. Theis then drew an offensive foul on Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Celtics had multiple opportunities to tie the game or go in front the rest of the way.
Marcus Smart missed a 3-pointer with just over a minute left. Donte Divincenzo blocked a shot attempt from Kemba Walker with about 35 seconds remaining. Brook Lopez blocked a Smart shot attempt from around the basket with 2 seconds left.
Middleton knocked Smart’s ensuing inbounds pass out of bounds, giving the Celtics one last oppor tunity. Smart found Theis all alone in front of the Celtics’ bench, but the shot bounced off the rim as the buzzer sounded.
Magic 112, Suns 111
ORLANDO, Fla. — Evan Fournier scored the last of his 21 points on a driving layup over Phoenix center Deandre Ayton with 6.4 seconds left and Orlando beat the Suns.
Suns star Devin Booker made two free throws with 19.4 seconds left to give Phoenix a one-point lead, but missed a reverse layup attempt just before the horn. The loss ended Phoenix’s road winning streak at seven, its longest since 2006-07.
Clippers 134, Spurs 101
SAN ANTONIO — Former Spurs star Kawhi Leonard had 25 points and Los Angeles never trailed in beating San Antonio.
Spurs fans still have not forgiven Leonard for his trade demand and subsequent departure to Toronto following his injury-riddled 2018 season. He was booed during pregame introductions and subsequently each time he touched the ball.
Pacers 116, Pistons 111
INDIANAPOLIS — Caris Lever t scored 28 points and Indiana beat Detroit to snap a six-game home losing streak.
Levert surpassed 20 points in seven starts with the Pacers since being acquired in a three-team trade. Edmond Sumner added 18 points, and Malcolm Brogden had 16.
Jerami Grant led Eastworst Detroit with 29 points.
Cavaliers 103, Bulls 94
CHICAGO — Darius Garland had 22 points and nine assists, Jarrett Allen added 19 points and nine rebounds, and Cleveland beat Chicago without scoring leader Collin Sexton.
Sexton sat out after he experienced right hamstring soreness in the morning shootaround. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the injury wasn’t serious.
Zach Lavine led Chicago with 22 points.
Hornets 122, Rockets 97
HOUSTON — Terry Rozier scored 25 points, Devonte’ Graham added 21 and Charlotte beat Houston.
The Rockets quickly returned to the loss column after snapping a 20-game losing streak Monday night. It was the NBA’S longest skid since Philadelphia’s record-setting 28-game rut across the 2014-15 and 201516 seasons.
Grizzlies 116, Thunder 107
OKLAHOMA CITY — Dillon Brooks matched a season high with 25 points and Memphis beat Oklahoma City.
Mavericks 128, Timberwolves 108
MINNEAPOLIS — Kristaps Porzingis had 29 points to help Dallas rout Minnesota.
Tim Hardaway Jr. added 21 points. and Luka Doncic finished with 15.
Rookie guard Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 29 points.