Surging T-Wolves top Bucks

Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points and 11 rebounds, Anthony Edwards scored 25 points and the host Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 138-119 victory Saturday over the Milwaukee Bucks, who were playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo due to right knee soreness.

Naz Reid added 14 points off the bench for Minnesota in a matchup that turned testy early. Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley and Milwaukee’s George Hill were both ejected after a first-quarter skirmish.

Minnesota won for the 10th time in 11 games by taking control in the third quarter with a barrage of 3-pointers. The Timberwolves shot 22-for-47 from 3-point range, including 9for-14 in the third.

Khris Middleton scored 15 for Milwaukee, which had won eight of nine.

Jrue Holiday added 14 points and Brook Lopez scored 15 in his third game back after recovering from back surgery. Lopez took Antetokounmpo’s spot in the starting lineup.

Wizards 127, Lakers 119:

Trade-deadline acquisition Kristaps Porzingis scored 27 points to lead host Washington over Los Angeles and spoil LeBron James’ ascension into second place on the NBA’s career scoring list, passing Karl Malone.

Porzingis hit a 27-foot 3pointer with 38 seconds left in the game to put the Wizards up by six points, sealing the win as James missed a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession.

Former Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Washington, hit two free throws for the final score.

James trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the lead. James entered the game 19 points behind Malone’s total of 36,928. After a six-point first quarter, James went on a spurt in the second quarter that included a dunk and three 3pointers.

The last of those 3s brought him even with Malone. Then he made a layup off a backdoor cut with 5:20 left in the quarter to move ahead.

Hornets 129, Mavericks 108:

Miles Bridges scored 23 points, P.J. Washington added 21 and host Charlotte routed Dallas for its fourth straight victory.

Terry Rozier scored 18 points, and LaMelo Ball and Kelly Oubre each had 17 points for the Hornets. They shot 20-for-42 from 3-point range.

Luka Doncic had 37 points and eight 3s for the Mavericks. They were playing their fifth road game in eight nights and on the second night of a backto-back.