Antetokounmpo returns, keys Bucks’ rout of Nets
NEW YORK — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in his return from a one-game absence, Khris Middleton added 15 of his 20 points in the third quarter, and the Milwaukee Bucks blew out the Brooklyn Nets 121-109 on Friday.
Bobby Portis scored 20 of his 25 points in the first half and had 12 rebounds to help the Bucks snap a twogame skid. The most recent loss came without Antetokounmpo, who didn’t play Wednesday because of an illness unrelated to COVID-19.
Milwauke is without coach Mike Budenholzer, point guard Jrue Holiday and a number of other key players because of COVID-19 protocol.
Kevin Durant had 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Nets, who have lost five straight home games. James Harden added 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Brooklyn won Wednesday in Indiana with Kyrie Irving making his season debut. He wasn’t in the building Friday, ineligible to play home games because he hasn’t been vaccinated against COVID-19 as mandated for New York City’s professional athletes.
Back on the court where they won
Game 7 in overtime in last season’s
Eastern Conference semifinals, the Bucks made clear early this one wouldn’t go down to the wire.
Portis scored 10 points in each of the first two quarters, and Milwaukee led 60-49 at halftime despite Antetokounmpo playing just 2½ minutes of the second quarter after being assessed his third foul.
Middleton hit three 3-pointers — one while being fouled — during a 19-4 spurt in the third quarter that put the Bucks up 87-63.
■ Lakers 134, Hawks 118: At Los Angeles, Lebron James notched 23 of his 32 points in the second half to lead four 20-point scorers for Los Angeles, which won a fourth straight game for the first time this season. Malik Monk had a season-best 29 points for the Lakers, who had a season-high 37 assists. Trae Young had 25 points and 14 assists for Atlanta.
■ Raptors 122, Jazz 108: At Toronto, Fred Vanvleet had 37 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in his first NBA tripledouble for Toronto, which overcame a 17-point deficit in its fifth straight win.
Eric Paschall scored 29 points and Elijah Hughes 26 — both career highs — for Utah, which was missing eight regulars and had its 10-game road win streak halted.
■ Cavaliers 114, Trail Blazers 101:
At Portland, Ore., Darius Garland scored 26 points for Cleveland (22-17), which matched its win total for all of last season with its first victory in Portland since January 2013. Rajon Rondo scored 11 points off the bench in his Cavs debut.
■ 76ers 119, Spurs 100: At Philadelphia, Joel Embiid had 31 points and 12 rebounds to lead three 20-point scorers for Philadelphia, which never trailed in its sixth straight win. Dejounte Murray scored 27 points for San Antonio, which has six players in COVID-19 protocol.
■ Mavericks 130, Rockets 106: At Houston, Tim Hardaway Jr. had 19 points and seven assists for Dallas, which scored a season-high 43 first-quarter points in its fifth straight win. The Mavs improved to 6-9 without Luka Doncic, who was sidelined with a right ankle sprain.
■ Timberwolves 135, Thunder 105: At Oklahoma City, D’angelo Russell had 27 points on 11-for-12 shooting and 12 assists for Minnesota, which shot 68 percent en route to a 73-57 halftime lead in its third straight win. Oklahoma City lost its third in a row.
■ Bulls 130, Wizards 122: At Chicago, Zach Lavine scored 27 points and Coby White 21 for Chicago, which won its ninth straight — matching its longest win streak since 2010-11. Lonzo Ball hit six of the Bulls’ 15 3-pointers and totaled 18 points.
■ Nuggets 121, Kings 111: At Denver, Nikola Jokic had 33 points and 10 rebounds, his seventh straight game with at least 20 points for Denver, which halted a two-game skid. De’aaron Fox scored 30 points for Sacramento in its third loss in a row.