Antetokounmpo, Bucks hold off 76ers
PHILADELPHIA – Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 40 points and had a game-deciding block of Joel Embiid in the final seconds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 118-116 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night in a matchup of two of the Eastern Conference’s top teams.
Khris Middleton added 22 points and Jrue Holiday had 18 for the Bucks, who pulled within a half-game of idle Miami for first place in the East.
James Harden had 32 points and nine rebounds for the 76ers, and Embiid recovered from a slow start and finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists. Philadelphia dropped 1½ behind the Heat in the conference.
Antetokounmpo added 14 rebounds, six assists and three blocks for the defending NBA champion Bucks.
Mavericks 128, Lakers 110: Luka Doncic scored 34 points in a triple-double and host Dallas routed the Lakers with Los Angeles missing LeBron James because of an ankle issue while anticipating the return of long-injured Anthony Davis.
James and Davis didn’t play after being listed as doubtful, which was actually an upgrade for Davis. The eighttime All-Star hasn’t played since Feb. 16 because of a right mid-foot sprain.
The question is when the superstars return. The Lakers (31-44) are tied with San Antonio for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference with seven games remaining for both teams.
Malik Monk scored 28 points and Russell Westbrook had 25 for L.A.
Doncic had 25 points in the first half as Dallas scored a season-high 82 for a 26-point lead. He finished with 12 rebounds and 12 assists.
Bulls 107, Wizards 94: DeMar DeRozan scored 14 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, and Chicago pulled away for a win over host Washington.
Nikola Vucevic scored 27 points for Chicago, which is trying to stay in the top six in the Eastern Conference and avoid the play-in round of the postseason. Chicago has played 12 of its last 15 on the road, but the Bulls now have only six games remaining in the regular season – and the next five are at home.
Rui Hachimura scored 21 points for the Wizards.
Nets 130, Pistons 123: Kevin Durant scored 41 points and host Brooklyn rallied past Detroit.
Kyrie Irving added 24 points in his second home appearance since New York exempted athletes from a private employer mandate for COVID-19 vaccinations last week.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 34 points.