Pistons handle LeBron-less Lakers 111-97
DETROIT — Andre Drummond had 19 points and 23 rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons took advantage of LeBron James' absence, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 111-97 on Friday night. The Lakers, who have fallen well off the pace in the Western Conference playoff race, have been managing James' minutes, and he sat out this game entirely. Los Angeles played at Toronto the previous night. The Lakers were also without Lonzo Ball (left ankle), Tyson Chandler (neck), Brandon Ingram (right arm) and Lance Stephenson (toe), but they trailed by only four in the third quarter before Detroit went on a 13-0 run to make it 73-56.
BUCKS 113, HEAT 98: Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points, and Milwaukee rallied from a 20-point halftime deficit to beat the Heat in Miami. Antetokounmpo also had 16 rebounds and nine assists for the Bucks, who became the first team in NBA history to trail by at least 20 points at the half and win by more than 11. Khris Middleton scored 21 and Eric Bledsoe had 17 for the NBA-best Bucks, who improved to 52-17. Milwaukee outscored Miami 71-36 in the second half. HORNETS 116, WIZARDS 110: Kemba Walker scored 28 points and Charlotte won on the road against Washington in a matchup of teams chasing the final Eastern Conference playoff berth. Jeremy Lamb added 18 points and eight rebounds, and Nicolas Batum and Tony Parker had 16 points apiece for Charlotte, which defeated Washington for the second time in eight days. Bradley Beal, who had 15 points in a loss at Charlotte last Friday, had 23 by halftime Friday night and finished with 40 points on 15-of-29 shooting. 76ERS 123, KINGS 114: Joel Embiid had 21 points and 17 rebounds and made some big plays on both ends of the court late in the fourth quarter, Jimmy Butler scored 22 points and the 76ers beat Sacramento in Philadelphia. Tobias Harris and JJ Redick each added 19 points and Ben Simmons contributed 18 for the 76ers, who won their third in a row to pull even with idle Indiana for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.