Heat slip past shorthanded Lakers
MIAMI — Jimmy Butler scored 28 points to lead the Miami Heat past the depleted Los Angeles Lakers 110-104 on Thursday night.
Kentavious CaldwellPope scored 28 points, including six of 11 3-pointers, for Los Angeles.
Recently acquired Andre Drummond returned from a four-game absence and had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers. Drummond hurt his right big toe in his Los Angeles debut March 31.
The Lakers continued without injured LeBron James (sprained ankle) and Anthony Davis (calf strain). Forward Kyle Kuzma also was sidelined with a calf strain.
CLIPPERS 113, SUNS 103
Paul George scored 33 points, Kawhi Leonard added 27, and host Los Angeles defeated Phoenix in a matchup of two of the top teams in the Western Conference.
George was 7-of-9 from 3-point range in his eighth 30-point game of the season. His season high of 39 points was against Phoenix on Jan. 3.
MAVERICKS 116, BUCKS 101
Luka Doncic scored 27 points, Kristaps Porzingis had 26 points and 17 rebounds playing on consecutive days for the first time in two months, and Dallas beat visiting Milwaukee.
Donte DiVincenzo scored 22 points, and Bobby Portis had 20 points and a season-high 14 rebounds for the Bucks, who fell to 1-2 without reigning two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, out with left knee soreness.
PISTONS 113, KINGS 101
Cory Joseph had a season-high 24 points and seven assists in his first game against his former team, Jahlil Okafor returned after missing nearly two months following knee surgery, and Detroit won at Sacramento.
JAZZ 122, BLAZERS 103
Donovan Mitchell scored 37 points, and Rudy Gobert had 18 points and 21 rebounds to lead Utah over Portland for its 23rd straight home victory.
BULLS 122, RAPTORS 113
Nikola Vucevic and Zach Levine each scored 22 points, and Chicago beat host Toronto for its third straight victory. LaVine also had 15 assists, and Lauri Markkanen came off the bench to score 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
CAVS 129, THUNDER 102
Collin Sexton scored 27 points, and Cleveland ended a five-game series losing streak to host Oklahoma City.