Down 23, Bucks rally to become East’s top seed again
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton scored 33 points each, and the Milwaukee Bucks overcame a huge early deficit to beat the Miami Heat 130116 on Thursday and clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Heat led by as many as 23 in a first half when they piled up 73 points despite being without Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic. Miami cooled off after the break and the Bucks took the lead in the third quarter but were down by 6 to start the fourth.
Antetokounmpo sat out about five minutes of the fourth quarter after collecting his fifth foul with 11 minutes to go. Milwaukee trailed by 1 with about five minutes remaining before using a 200 run, with three dunks from Antetokounmpo, to make it 130111 with less than a minute to go and cruise to the victory.
It’s the second straight year the Bucks have had the best record in the East.
Rockets 113, Lakers 97: James Harden had 39 points and 12 assists to lead Houston over Los Angeles, which played without LeBron James (sore groin). The Rockets were missing Russell Westbrook (bruised quadriceps). The combination of Harden’s big game and Houston’s longrange shooting were enough. The Rockets made 21 of 57 3point tries. Los Angeles hit just 2 of 19. Kyle Kuzma led the Lakers with 21 points and Anthony Davis added 17 points with 12 rebounds.
Suns 114, Pacers 99: Deandre Ayton had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Phoenix continued its improbable run in the NBA bubble, beating Indiana for its fourth straight win. Devin Booker added 20 points and 10 assists and Cameron Johnson had 14 points and 12 rebounds as the Suns took control with a 210 run that bridged the end of the the third quarter and the start of the fourth. Kings 140, Pelicans 125: Bogdan Bogdanovic scored a careerhigh 35 to lift Sacramento. De’Aaron Fox had 30 points and 10 assists and Harrison Barnes added 22 points for the Kings, who got their first win in four tries since the restart. The Kings shot 54%. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram each scored 24 points for the Pelicans. William made his first eight shots and 10for12 overall in just less than 22 minutes. Clippers 126, Mavericks 111:
Kawhi Leonard scored 29 to help Los Angeles beat Dallas in a possible playoff preview. Paul George scored 24 points and Ivica Zubac added 21 points on 10for10 shooting and 15 rebounds for the Clippers, who strengthened their hold on the No. 2 spot in the West.
Blazers 125, Nuggets 115: Damian Lillard tied his franchise record with 11 3pointers and scored 45 points, and Portland moved closer to the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference by beating Denver. Lillard was 11for18 from 3point range and had 12 assists.