Raptors overcome Antetokounmpo’s 43
Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam each scored 30 points, with Siakam setting a career high, and the Toronto Raptors beat the host Milwaukee Bucks 123-116 on Saturday night in a matchup of the top two teams in the standings.
Serge Ibaka added 25 points and nine rebounds, Fred VanVleet had 21 points and Danny Green 12 points and nine rebounds for the Raptors, who withstood the Bucks’ comeback in the fourth.
“What helped us was the beginning of that third quarter,” Leonard said. “We came out in the first two minutes playing well, getting stops, getting some open looks.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 43 points and 18 rebounds for Milwaukee, which had won its last five.
“We kind of let up the second quarter,” Eric Bledsoe said.
at Portland 110, Houston 101: Jusuf Nurkic had 25 points and 15 rebounds, and the Trail Blazers snapped James Harden’s 40-point streak at five games and the Rockets’ six-game winning streak. Harden finished with 38 points.
Golden State 127, at Sacramento 123: Stephen Curry scored 20 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter and had 10 three-pointers, and the Warriors rallied to sweep the Kings. Kevin Durant added 29 points, nine assists and five rebounds. The teams combined for a record 41 threes, with Sacramento’s 20 a franchise best.
at Denver 123, Charlotte 110: Nikola Jokic scored a season-high 39 points with 12 rebounds, six assists and three steals as the Nuggets won their 10th straight at home. At 26-11, they’re off to the best NBA start in team history.
at Philadelphia 106, Dallas 100: Joel Embiid had 25 points and 12 rebounds, including two key free throws, and Ben Simmons added 20 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists as the 76ers improved to 17-3 at home. Jimmy Butler missed a second straight game due to an upper respiratory infection.
Utah 110, at Detroit 105: Donovan Mitchell scored 24 of his 26 points in the second half, and the Jazz rallied from 18 down. Blake Griffin scored 34 points for the Pistons.
at San Antonio 108, Memphis 88: Derrick White scored 19 points and the Spurs handed the Grizzlies their fifth straight loss.
New Orleans 133, Cleveland 98: Jrue Holiday and Julius Randle both scored 22 points and Anthony Davis had 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Pelicans handed the Cavaliers their ninth straight loss.