GIANNIS PUSHES BUCKS PAST PELICANS
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 42 points and 10 rebounds in his return from a one-game absence and the Milwaukee Bucks held off a late New Orleans surge to beat the host Pelicans 128-119 on Monday night.
Bucks 128, Pelicans 119
Brook Lopez mixed in four 3-pointers with opportunistic play in the paint to score 30 points for the Bucks, who led by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter before the Pelicans pulled to 117-114 on CJ McCollum’s fade away.
Former Pelicans star Jrue Holiday responded with a late 3 and Lopez scored soon after to virtually seal the result and ensure New Orleans’ fourth straight loss on the heels of its seven-game winning streak.
Milwaukee maintained a double-digit lead for long stretches while frustrating Pelicans star power forward Zion Williamson for most of the game.
Guarded primarily by Holiday, Williamson was limited to nine points through the first three quarters before scoring nine in the final 12 minutes to finish with 18 points.
Williamson’s annoyance was evident when he was assessed a technical foul while speaking angrily to official John Conley in the third quarter. But his late surge helped fuel a 22-7 run.
Jonas Valanciunas scored a season-high 37 points and grabbed 18 rebounds for New Orleans, but he hit just one of his career high-tying seven 3pointers in the second half.
Holiday finished with 18 points and 11 assists for the Bucks, who won for the 10th time in 13 games.
Thunder 123, Trail Blazers 121: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a baseline jumper as time expired, and host Oklahoma City defeated Portland to ruin Damian Lillard’s record-setting night. Gilgeous-Alexander drove to his left and drained a 14-foot pullup over Justise Winslow. The shot capped a 35point performance for Gilgeous-Alexander.
Lillard made a reverse layup with 3.5 seconds remaining to tie it. He scored 28 points to surpass
Clyde Drexler’s franchise career scoring record. Drexler, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, had 18,040 points for the Trail Blazers from 1983-95. Lillard entered the night needing 21 to move ahead of him.
Suns 130, Lakers 104: Chris Paul scored a season-high 28 points, Deandre Ayton added 21 points and 11 rebounds and host Phoenix rolled past Los Angeles. The game was almost more notable for who wasn’t playing instead of the action on the court. The Lakers were missing their All-Star trio of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. The Suns were missing six players, including three-time All-Star Devin Booker.
Hawks 126, Magic 125: Dejounte Murray hit a pair of decisive free throws with 1.3 seconds left, Trae Young had 37 points and 13 assists, and host Atlanta held off Orlando to snap the Magic’s six-game winning streak.
Cavaliers 122, Jazz 99: Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points in his first game against his former team and Jarrett Allen added 20, as Cleveland won its fourth straight. The Cavs hold the NBA’s best home record, 15-2.
76ers 104, Raptors 101 (OT): Tobias Harris hit a 3-pointer in overtime that put Philadelphia ahead to stay, and Joel Embiid had 28 points, 11 rebounds and four assists as the 76ers extended their winning streak to a season-best five games in beating Toronto at home.
The 76ers won despite a stellar performance from Toronto All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, whose 38-point performance was the highest point total allowed by 76ers this season.
Spurs 124, Rockets 105: Devin Vassell had 26 points and San Antonio rolled over visiting Houston to snap a two-game skid.
Timberwolves 116, Mavericks 106: Anthony Edwards had 27 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists to lead host Minnesota over unglued Dallas, which lost star Luca Doncic and coach Jason Kidd to successive ejections late in the third quarter.
Hornets 125, Kings 119: Kelly Oubre scored 31 points as Charlotte stunned Sacramento on the road.