Butler, Dragic step up as Heat defeat Jazz

Jimmy Butler scored a season-high 33 points, reserve Goran Dragic tied his season-best with 26 and the Miami Heat held on to beat Utah 124-116 on Friday — handing the Jazz (26-7) just their third loss in their last 25 games.

RAPTORS 122, ROCKETS 111 »

Norman Powell scored 30 points, Kyle Lowry had a triple-double and the depleted Toronto Raptors beat the Houston Rockets. Lowry had 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to help the Raptors

The Raptors were without head coach Nick Norse, five assistant coaches and starting forward Pascal Siakam in accordance with the NBA’s health and safety protocols regarding the coronavirus. Assistant coach Sergio Scariolo directed the team.

KINGS 110, PISTONS 107 »

D’Aaron Fox had 27 points and Harrison Barnes had 21 as Sacramento defeated Detroit.

THUNDER 118, HAWKS 109 » Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Atlanta Hawks night after changing uniforms at halftime because a mix-up left the teams wearing similar colors at the start.

The Thunder began the game wearing their sunset orange uniforms while the Hawks wore red, making it difficult to distinguish between the teams.

Kemba Walker made two late free throws and scored a season-high 32 points to help the Boston Celtics snap a three-game losing streak with a win over the Indiana Pacers.

Daniel Theis added 17 points and Jaylen Brown finished with 15.

Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton each scored 22 points and the Phoenix Suns rallied to beat the Chicago Bulls.

Chris Paul, who’ll join Booker at the All-Star Game, added 14 points, 15 assists and six rebounds to help the Suns win for the 10th time in 12 games.

Kevin Durant will be out through the All-Star break because of a hamstring injury, sidelining the Brooklyn Nets star from a game for which he was chosen to serve as a captain.

Durant a captain of one of the teams in the March 7 All-Star Game, and he’s scheduled to select a team opposite LeBron James next Thursday.