Blazers topple Bucks in Lillard’s Portland return
Anfernee Simons scored 24 points, including a key floater with 17.1 seconds left, as the Trail Blazers spoiled former teammate Damian Lillard’s return to Portland by beating Milwaukee 119-116 on Wednesday.
Lillard scored 25 points in his first game at Moda Center since being dealt to the Bucks on Sept. 27. The 33-year-old eight-time All-star spent his first 11 NBA seasons with the Blazers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 27 points for Milwaukee in its second straight loss under new coach Doc Rivers.
■ Cavaliers 128, Pistons 121: At Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell scored 20 of his 45 points in the fourth quarter for Cleveland, which went ahead with a 10-0 run in the final period in its third straight win and 11th in 12 games.
■ Timberwolves 121, Mavericks 87: At Minneapolis, Karl-anthony Towns scored 29 points for Minnesota in its fourth win in five games. Dallas was without Luka Doncic (right ankle sprain) and Kyrie Irving (right thumb sprain).
■ Suns 136, Nets 120: At New York, Kevin Durant had 33 points and eight assists in his first game in Brooklyn since the Nets traded him to Phoenix on Feb. 9, and the Suns shot 62.0 percent in their ninth win in 11 games.
■ Thunder 105, Nuggets 100: At Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeousalexander scored 34 points for Oklahoma City, which held Denver to 39.8 percent shooting. The Nuggets were without Nikola Jokic (sore lower back).
■ Heat 115, Kings 106: At Miami, Jimmy Butler scored 31 points for Miami, which had a season-high 38 assists while halting its seven-game slide and Sacramento’s four-game win streak.
■ Magic 108, Spurs 98: At San Antonio, Paolo Banchero scored 25 points for Orlando in its fourth win in five games. San Antonio cut a 25-point fourth-quarter deficit to three.
■ Clippers 125, Wizards 109: At Washington, Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points for Los Angeles, which held a 40-19 third-quarter scoring edge in its sixth win in seven games.
■ Pelicans 110, Rockets 99: At Houston, Jonas Valanciunas scored 25 points for New Orleans, which had a 56-29 edge in rebounds and halted a three-game skid.
■ Bulls 117, Hornets 110: At Charlotte, N.C., Coby White scored 35 points for Chicago, which shot 51.7 percent and dealt Charlotte its fifth straight loss. G League
■ Ignite 123, Wolves 118, OT: At Dollar Loan Center, Ron Holland had 26 points and 11 rebounds to lead eight double-figure scorers for the Ignite (5-27), who overcame a 16-point halftime deficit and halted an 18-game slide that dated to Dec. 14. Leonard Miller had 25 points and 19 rebounds for Iowa (9-22). From staff and wire reports