Pro Court Report: 2018

Friday, February 2, 2018

NBA notebook: Monroe signs with Celtics; Bulls trade Mirotic to Pelicans

UNB! Sports Staff Report

Greg Monroe will sign a one-year, $5 million deal with the Bostpn Celtics, league sources tell ESPN.

The New Orleans Pelicans could only offer Monroe $2.2 million. They also offered Monroe the chance to be the starting center, but Monroe will join the Celtics with fewer assurances on playing time.

Bulls trade Mirotic to Pelicans

According to ESPN, the Chicago Bulls traded Nikola Mirotic to the Pelicans on Thursday.

New Orleans is planning to guarantee the $12.5M salary of Mirotic in the 2018-19 season.

In return, the Bulls acquire Omer Asik, Tony Allen, Jameer Nelson, and a 2018 first-rounder with "minima" protections.

Sources also told ESPN that the Bulls may waive Allen. They may keep Nelson, according to report after a previous one that said the Bulls wouldn't.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Wizards All-Star guard John Wall to have left knee surgery

By HOWARD FENDRICH
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Washington Wizards point guard John Wall will have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Wednesday and could miss much of the rest of the regular season.

The Wizards announced Tuesday that Wall would have the operation in Cleveland and that a timeline for his return would be determined afterward.

A person with direct knowledge of the injury said Wall could miss six to eight weeks. That person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team did not release any estimate of the length of Wall's absence. Washington's last regular-season game is on April 11.

This is the latest knee problem for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft out of Kentucky. He had surgery on both of his knees before last season.

In July, Wall agreed to a $170 million, four-year contract extension that starts with next season.

He was selected last week to participate in his fifth NBA All-Star game but now is expected to miss that event in Los Angeles next month.

Wall is second on the Wizards in scoring this season, averaging 19.4 points, and is second in the league with 9.3 assists per game. The timing of the surgery gives Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld a chance to find a new point guard before the NBA trading deadline, which is Feb. 8.

The Washington Post first reported that Wall would be having a procedure on his knee.

He sat out Washington's most recent game, at the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, because of a recurrence of soreness and swelling in his left knee. Earlier issues with the knee led him to sit out nine games in November and December, and he got platelet-rich plasma injections to try to cut down on the inflammation.

The Wizards entered Tuesday, when they were scheduled to host Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder at night, tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 27-22 record.

Led by its backcourt of Wall and Bradley Beal, a first-time All-Star pick this season, Washington lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals each of the past two years.

---

AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to this report.

Pistons land Blake Griffin from Clippers in blockbuster deal

(AP) -- The Detroit Pistons dramatically shook their struggling roster by acquiring one of the NBA's top players in Blake Griffin in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The deal for the five-time All-Star forward was announced early Tuesday, giving Detroit a player who has been the face of the Clippers but whose career has been undercut by injuries.

Detroit sent forward Tobias Harris, guard Avery Bradley and center Boban Marjanovic to Los Angeles, with the Clippers also receiving draft picks. Detroit also acquired forward Brice Johnson and center Willie Reed.

"We are serious about winning, and this is a major move to improve our team," Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. "Blake Griffin is one of the NBA's elite players, and when you get an opportunity to add that kind of talent, you take it."

The Pistons did not yet say if Griffin would be available for Tuesday night's home game against Cleveland.

The 28-year-old Griffin is averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 33 games this season, but the Clippers have been plagued by injuries and are ninth in the Western Conference standings.

Detroit is scuffling as well. The Pistons have lost eight straight heading into Tuesday night's game against Cleveland.

"Needed a night to digest and reflect on what happened...." Griffin tweeted. "From being a (hashtag)1 pick, to Lob City, to six straight Playoff appearances, I am so proud to have been part of the success of the Clippers organization. LA has been my home since I started in the league and I will be forever grateful to the city for embracing me and supporting me. To the fans, you have been awesome every step of the way. Thank you for years of support.

"Now I'm ready for the next chapter, getting to work and helping the Detroit Pistons make a run in the Eastern Conference."

Last July, Griffin agreed to a $171 million, five-year deal, ending a brief flirtation with free agency. He told his teammates, coach Doc Rivers and owner Steve Ballmer, "I want my legacy to be a Clipper."

The deal didn't include a no-trade clause for the second-leading scorer in franchise history with 10,863 points.

Griffin gives Detroit's frontcourt another standout alongside Andre Drummond, but it also represents a clear change in course from the roster the Pistons had assembled. Detroit acquired Bradley in a trade with Boston last offseason, but he's in the final season of his contract. Harris has been impressive for the Pistons this season, shooting a career-best 41 percent from 3-point range.

"The move is not without risk. We gave up a lot to get him, including Tobias Harris - one of the hardest-working, highest-character players I know - and two high-quality young men in Avery Bradley and Boban Marjanovic," Gores said. "But we are very excited to bring Blake Griffin to Detroit. He is a great fit for our team and will bring a combination of toughness and athleticism that will elevate our team and excite our fans."

Detroit's season was looking promising until a late-December injury to point guard Reggie Jackson. The Pistons have stumbled while he's been out with a sprained right ankle, and the team is facing the prospect of missing the playoffs in its first season at its new downtown arena.

Detroit's next six games are at home, so the Pistons will have a chance to turn this season around - and an opportunity to build for a future with both Griffin and Drummond.

"His presence will help us offensively and his size gives us another rebounder and weapon in the paint," said Stan Van Gundy, Detroit's coach and team president. "Willie Reed and Brice Johnson are two young players that give us size and depth."

For the Clippers, moving Griffin continues a makeover of a franchise that has never made it past the second round of the playoffs.

The Clippers traded All-Star point guard Chris Paul to Houston last summer. He had been credited with bringing respectability to the team that was once the laughingstock of the league. Without Paul, Los Angeles won its first four games to open the season, and then lost nine of its next 11. The team is one game above .500 going into Tuesday night's game against Portland.

"Blake is one of the best players ever to wear a Clippers jersey. We want to express our gratitude and respect for everything he has done for this team and the city of Los Angeles," said Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations. "This was a very difficult decision, but we ultimately felt it was appropriate for the franchise."

Paul's replacement, Patrick Beverley, has missed the entire season after right knee surgery. Also missing time have been DeAndre Jordan, Danilo Gallinari, Austin Rivers and Milos Teodosic.

Yet owner Steve Ballmer remains optimistic.

"While change is hard, my confidence in our front office, led by Lawrence Frank and Michael Winger, along with the sage counsel of Jerry West, has never been higher," he said in a statement. "I believe today, more than ever, in our ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship."

Los Angeles receives a protected first-round draft choice and a second-round pick from the Pistons.

The Clippers drafted Griffin first overall out of Oklahoma in 2009. However, he missed the 2009-10 season after surgery on his broken left kneecap. Griffin missed 21 games last season and 47 in 2015-16 because of injuries.

As a rookie, he was an All-Star, won the slam dunk contest and was named NBA Rookie of the Year.

He has averaged 21.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his career.

"Blake Griffin had a tremendous impact on this organization and his legacy within the community of Los Angeles will be permanent," Balmer said. "It was a pleasure getting to know and cheer for Blake. I wish him, as well as Brice and Willie, the best of luck."

Even before the Pistons announced the deal, there was plenty of reaction on social media Monday night. Harris had a message on his accounts thanking Detroit for its support. Griffin's Twitter account had its own message with no words - just an image of actor Will Smith with a surprised expression on his face.

---

AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Friday, January 12, 2018

Ingram sends Lakers past Spurs to 3rd straight win, 93-81

By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Halfway through another mostly miserable season, the young Los Angeles Lakers have put together their longest winning streak of the year.

Coach Luke Walton is eager to see whether they can maintain the momentum that's making their future look slightly less bleak.

Brandon Ingram scored 26 points, Lonzo Ball added 18 and the Lakers held off the short-handed San Antonio Spurs 93-81 on Thursday night for their third straight victory.

Larry Nance Jr. had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers (14-27), who blew an early 19-point lead before running away in the fourth quarter with a poise they've shown only fleetingly this season. Los Angeles had lost nine straight before its current surge.

"We responded like a team that's failed a lot, and kind of got sick of it," Walton said. "We're seen that point many times this year where we're playing well, we have a lead, the other team goes on a run and then we stall out in the second half. I thought our players did a great job of coming together."

Ingram had an aggressive offensive game, and Ball contributed 10 rebounds, six assists and four 3-pointers as Los Angeles also snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Spurs at Staples Center since April 2013.

The Lakers (14-27) appear to be midway through their fifth consecutive non-playoff season, but their entertaining style occasionally produces great moments, such as the dunk thrown down by Nance on a less-than-ideal pass from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

"We're focused on defense, effort and energy, really," Nance said of the winning streak. "I don't know what it was, but it was about time we got out of that rut."

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 15 of his 20 points in the first half for the Spurs, who committed 21 turnovers while playing without injured starters Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and Danny Green.

Bryn Forbes scored 18 points and Dejounte Murray added 14 points and 11 rebounds.

"That was a pathetic performance by our team, and a lot of the reason for it was the way the Lakers played," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. "They were very physical, much more physical than we were. Their desire was at a totally different level than ours was. ... Just effort and will. I thought in that sense, we were pathetic."

TIP-INS

Spurs: Pau Gasol had nine points and 12 rebounds in the 37-year-old Spaniard's latest return to the city where he won two championships alongside Kobe Bryant, whose two retired jersey numbers now hang in the Staples Center rafters.

Lakers: They made an early 25-3 run on the way to a 37-18 lead. Ball hit three 3-pointers and didn't miss a shot in the first half. ... Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played a solid defensive game and contributed down the stretch with 10 points and four rebounds.

AILING SPURS

Leonard missed his third straight game with a left shoulder strain, and Parker sat after spraining his right ankle in Sacramento on Monday. Green missed his fifth consecutive game with a groin strain.

Veteran Rudy Gay also sat out his seventh straight game with right heel bursitis, leaving the Spurs short-handed in the last stop on a three-game trip down the West Coast.

PEANUT GALLERY

Before the game, Popovich didn't mince words when asked about the recent criticism of Walton from Lithuanian basketball power broker LaVar Ball: "I think the first thing to look at is the substance and gravitas of the source that speaks, and just stopping at that point would tell you that you don't need to listen or go any further. It's just another fan in the peanut gallery with an opinion, which is meaningless."

TRADE ME NOT

Popovich also revealed that Aldridge requested a trade last summer after a rough season. The coach talked the star big man out of his feelings after a few dinners and meetings. "I was very candid with him," Popovich said. "I told him, `I'd be happy to trade you. You get me a talent like Kevin Durant, and I'll drive you to the airport. I'll pack your bags. And I will drive you there, get you on the plane and get you seated.' He laughed, (and) I said, `But short of that, I'm your best buddy, because you're here for another year, and you ain't going nowhere. Because we're not going to get for you talent-wise what we would want, so let's figure this thing out.' And we did."

UP NEXT

Spurs: Return home to face the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

Lakers: Open a three-game road trip at the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.

Clippers hold off Kings 121-115 after blowing 14-point lead

By MICHAEL WAGAMAN
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Blake Griffin says he's fully recovered from the concussion he suffered last weekend and marveled at how his Los Angeles Clippers have maneuvered their way around a series of injuries to key players this season.

Griffin is just as impressed with how much the club has gotten from unheralded teammates like Tyrone Wallace, who spent most of the season in the G League before joining the Clippers for his NBA debut this month.

Wallace intercepted a pass at midcourt and drove in for a dunk with 10.9 seconds left, moments after what appeared to be a costly turnover by Lou Williams, and the Clippers held off the Sacramento Kings 121-115 on Thursday night after blowing a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.

"Guys made big plays when we needed them," Griffin said. "Guys that weren't even on an NBA roster at the beginning of the season are coming up and making big plays like they've been in the league for years. That's awesome to see."

The Clippers, who lost DeAndre Jordan to a sprained left ankle in the second quarter, won their third straight over the Kings this season and their 11th in a row at Sacramento.

"It's tough. You just keep dropping guys every game," Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said. "Every game someone is stepping in for us, too, and that's the blessing."

Williams finished with 30 points and six assists, one night after scoring a career-high 50 against defending champion Golden State. Griffin had 18 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in his return to the lineup, and Montrezl Harrell scored a season-best 25 - including 16 in the second quarter when Los Angeles put up 43 points.

The Clippers led 106-92 early in the fourth before the Kings rallied to go ahead 113-112 on Bogdan Bogdanovich's layup with 2:10 remaining.

Griffin followed with a 3-pointer and Williams later scored on a short jumper, but the Kings pulled to 117-115 on George Hill's free throw with 24.9 seconds left.

Williams then committed a turnover at midcourt when he threw a pass to Sacramento's Kosta Koufos, but Wallace saved his teammate when he stole the ball back and drove in for a dunk. Wesley Johnson added two free throws to seal the win.

"Normally bigs don't want to push the ball up so I kind of just sat there and waited a little behind the guard," Wallace said. "I figured (Koufos) was going to look to pass it. He just turned and threw the ball without looking, so I knew I had an opportunity to get the steal. I had the whole court in front of me."

Bogdanovich scored 22 points, and Koufos had 14 points and 14 rebounds. Hill added 21 points but missed two free throws in the final 70 seconds.

"We've got to start games and play with a lot more effort, a lot more aggressiveness, a lot more motor," Kings coach Dave Joerger said.

Williams had 21 points in the first half, including nine in the final 1:33 of the second quarter after the Kings had trimmed a 14-point deficit to 60-58.

The Clippers also got a lift from Harrell, who made all seven of his shots in the period.

That was important after Jordan limped off the court with an ankle injury after scoring on a dunk with 5:15 left in the first half.

"That's par for the course for our team this year," Griffin said. "One guy comes back, one guy has to go out."

GRIFFIN'S HEALTH

Griffin shot 5 of 14 and was 2 for 7 from beyond the arc in his return from a concussion he suffered last Saturday. "Fine head-wise and all that," he said. "I just felt like I was a little off rhythm-wise."

TIP-INS

Clippers: Harrell's 16 points in the second quarter were two more than he had the entire game against Golden State.

Kings: Bogdanovich had four fouls in the first half. ... Frank Mason was diagnosed with a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot. He is expected to miss four weeks. Mason was injured Dec. 31 against Memphis.

UP NEXT

Clippers: Play at Houston on Saturday.

Kings: Play at Oklahoma City on Saturday.

James, struggling Cavs routed again, Raptors romp 133-99

By IAN HARRISON
Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) -- LeBron James isn't enjoying the view lately, watching the end of blowout losses from the Cleveland Cavaliers' bench.

James and his struggling Cavaliers absorbed their most-lopsided rout of the season, overwhelmed by the Toronto Raptors 133-99 on Thursday night.

The Cavaliers have dropped six of eight dating to a Christmas Day defeat at defending champion Golden State. James scored 26 points in this loss while Isaiah Thomas missed his first 11 shots.

"I don't know where it kind of went wrong or what happened," James said. "We've got to try to pick it back up and find it."

After losing to Minnesota 127-99 on Monday, the Cavaliers fell by an even bigger margin. Toronto's 133 points were the most by any Cavaliers opponent this season, and marked the third straight game that Cleveland has allowed at least 127.

So, what has been James' biggest beef with Cleveland's last two losses?

"That I haven't played in the fourth quarter," he said, adding his team is getting "tore up."

Kevin Love, who scored 10 points, said he's confident the Cavs can turn it around in time to reach the finals for a fourth straight season.

"We have enough talent here to get over that hump and make a lot of good things happen," Love said. "Right now it's just tough to see the light at the end of the tunnel but it is there. We will get out of it and we will get better."

Fred VanVleet scored a career-high 22 points, Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and a season-high 18 rebounds and the Raptors overcame the absences of two starters.

C.J.Miles scored 16 points, Pascal Siakam and Norm Powell each had 14 and DeMar DeRozan 13 for the Raptors, who were without point guard Kyle Lowry (bruised tailbone) and forward Serge Ibaka (suspension). Jakob Poeltl had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Raptors.

VanVleet made six of eight 3-point attempts as the Raptors connected on a season-high 18 shots from beyond the arc.

"I was really proud of the way he came to play," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said.

Toronto's 12-game home winning streak was snapped in Tuesday's loss to Miami, but the Raptors bounced back in their first meeting with Cleveland since the Cavaliers swept the Raptors out of the second round of the playoffs last May.

Thomas connecting on a short jumper at 7:22 of the third quarter for his first basket. He finished 2 for 15 and went 0 for 6 from 3-point range. Playing for the fourth time this season as he returns from a right hip injury, Thomas scored four points in 24 minutes.

"He'll be fine," Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. "He's going to have to work out some kinks, but he'll be fine."

Lowry missed his second straight game after he was injured in a heavy fall in overtime of Monday's win at Brooklyn. Lowry participated in shootaround Thursday morning but is still too sore to play.

Ibaka served a one-game suspension for throwing a punch at Miami's James Johnson in Tuesday's home loss to the Heat.

Leading 30-24 after one quarter, the Raptors extended their lead in the second thanks to their bench. Siakam scored 10 points and VanVleet had eight as Toronto led 65-40 at halftime.

TIP-INS

Cavaliers: Thomas missed all 10 of his field goal attempts in the first half. ... G Derrick Rose who has been out since Nov. 7 with an ankle injury, will not play Friday at Indiana. G Iman Shumpert, out since Nov. 20 with a knee injury, is also expected to miss Friday's game. ... Cleveland is 11-11 on the road.

Raptors: Outscored Cleveland 76-48 in bench points. ... Outrebounded the Cavs 63-35.

RECORD-BREAKING START

Toronto's 29 wins through 40 games are the most in franchise history. The Raptors started 28-13 in 2016-17.

END OF THE LINE

Thomas failed to make at least one 3-pointer for the first time in 60 games. It had been the second-longest streak in the NBA behind Golden State's Klay Thompson (95).

UP NEXT

Cavaliers: Thomas is expected to rest when Cleveland concludes a back-to-back by visiting Indiana on Friday. The Pacers have won both meetings with the Cavs this season.

Raptors: Host Golden State on Saturday. Toronto has lost seven straight to the Warriors.

Celtics overcome 22-point deficit to beat 76ers in London

By SAM JOHNSTON
Associated Press

LONDON (AP) -- Ten seasons ago, the Boston Celtics came to London and won. They went on to win the NBA title.

As they repeated the first half of that feat with a comeback victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night, the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics provided more evidence that they can emulate that 2007-08 squad.

Kyrie Irving had 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds and Boston overcame a 22-point deficit to beat the 76ers 114-103 in the eighth regular season NBA game played in England.

"It's always great to believe in fate," Irving said. "But for us we have to be dogged in every moment we're afforded. It's great for that to happen for that past team but it's the past. We have to be very present. Winning an NBA championship is one of the hardest things you can do in life."

Jaylen Brown added 21 points, and Marcus Morris had 19 points and eight rebounds to help the Celtics extend their winning streak to seven games.

JJ Redick had 22 points and hit five 3-pointers for Philadelphia, but the 76ers were unable to take advantage of their fast start as the Celtics' NBA-best defense tightened at O2 Arena.

Joel Embiid had 16 points, and fellow All-Star hopeful Ben Simmons added 15 for the 76ers.

"This team that we just played today is the best defensive team in the NBA and we felt all of that," 76ers coach Brett Brown said. "When you look at their individual defensive players to a man, they're as strong positionally as any team in the NBA."

Irving and Embiid struggled early, going a combined 1 for 10 from the field in the first quarter. Despite ending the quarter pointless, Embiid was able to make an impact on defense, notably swatting away Irving's attempted layup.

Embiid and Simmons helped out Redick at the start of the second and the 76ers made their first nine shots of the quarter to open the 22-point lead with 6:56 remaining in the quarter.

However, Irving finally made a 3, sparking a strong Celtics finish to the half as they closed to 57-48.

Having been outshone by fellow Rookie Of The Year contender Simmons in the first half, Jayson Tatum began the second half hot, making his first five shots to bring the Celtics within a point.

The Celtics took their first lead midway through the third quarter, and soon took control as Morris and fellow reserve Marcus Smart stretched the lead.

Irving returned early in the fourth and was fouled making a trademark driving layup and made the free throw to give the Celtics a 105-88 advantage midway through the quarter, all but ending the contest.

PLAYOFF PREVIEW?

With the Celtics top of the Eastern Conference with a 34-10 record and the 76ers (19-20) ninth and fighting to make the post-season a first round playoff meeting between the two is a possibility.

Despite having lost all three games to the Celtics this season, Embiid is confident the 76ers could compete in a seven-game series.

"If we end up meeting in the playoffs, I feel like we got a pretty good chance," Embiid said. "We just need to correct whatever has been careless the whole season and that's turnovers and fouling a lot."

TIP-INS

Celtics: The Celtics held Philadelphia without a field goal for the final 4:37 of the second quarter to trim the halftime deficit to nine points

76ers: Embiid was the only player on either team to finish with a double-double, adding 10 rebounds to his 15 points.

UP NEXT:

Celtics: Host New Orleans on Tuesday night.

76ers: Host Toronto on Monday night.

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Miami's short bench comes up big in 114-106 win over Pacers

By MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Miami found out an eight-man rotation might be just as effective as a full bench.

Sometimes, it can even be better.

Goran Dragic scored 20 points and backup Wayne Ellington made the decisive 3-pointer with 25.5 seconds left Wednesday night to help the Heat fend off a late charge to hold on for a rare 114-106 victory at Indiana.

"None of these wins are going to come easy, but I think it just says a lot about how tough we are," Josh Richardson said after scoring 14 points and shooting 3 of 4 from 3-point range. "Every night, we have to scratch and claw for everything and it's paying off."

This game might have been their most impressive yet.

With four players sitting out because of injuries, Tyler Johnson not expected to dress and James Johnson suspended by the league for throwing punches in a victory over Toronto, the Heat showed up at Bankers Life Fieldhouse expecting only seven players to be available for their second road game in two nights.

Tyler Johnson, it turns out, managed to play through a sprained left shoulder giving coach Erik Spoelstra one more body to divvy up the minutes.

And he needed every one.

Ellington, Johnson and Bam Adebayo all played more than 30 minutes, all scored 15 points off the bench and all made key plays throughout the game as Miami won its sixth in a row and snapped a 10-game road losing streak against the Pacers.

Hassan Whiteside added 16 points and 15 rebounds.

"We knew it was going to be tough here. (Indiana) plays extremely well at home," Spoelstra said. "They're athletic. They have great team speed. It wasn't a perfect game by any means, but it was probably a little bit more to our pace and our liking."

It was good enough to fend off the hard-charging Pacers, who had won their previous two games.

Victor Oladipo had 26 points, seven rebounds and four assists and Lance Stephenson gave Indiana a late boost of energy that nearly led Indiana back from a 10-point deficit in the final 9:57. Stephenson wound up with 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Miami showed no sign of fatigue early, shooting better than 60 percent for most of the first two quarters and took a 58-47 lead at halftime.

And when Indiana used a 14-2 run to get within 65-63, the Heat fought through the weariness again.

Indiana blew its first chance to tie the score, or take the lead, when Al Jefferson drew an offensive foul late in the third. The Heat then retook an 84-78 lead after three and extended the margin to 90-80 early in the fourth on a basket by Adebayo.

That's when the Pacers turned it on. They scored six straight to make it 92-89 and used another 6-0 spurt to finally tie it at 97 on Stephenson's 18-footer with 5:09 left.

But Miami broke the tie on Johnson's 3 and put it away when Ellington's shot dropped in for to make it 109-103.

"They hit some tough shots," Oladipo said. "They've been hitting tough shots every win, the last three or four wins, down to wire and they executed again. Credit them, they did a great job."

TIP-INS

Heat: Dragic also finished with nine assists. ... Miami has won 13 consecutive games in January including last season, the longest active streak in the league. ... The home team had won 18 of the previous 20 regular-season games in this series.

Pacers: Missed their first 10 3s and wound up 1 of 18 from beyond the arc. Indiana also went 19 of 29 from the free-throw line. ... Thaddeus Young had 12 points and nine rebounds. ... Domantas Sabonis had 18 points and seven rebounds after replacing Myles Turner in the starting lineup.

TURNER OUT

Turner injured his right elbow Monday night after making a dunk in the victory over Milwaukee.

The team announced he wouldn't play Wednesday morning and said he would miss at least one more game as he continues to be evaluated. He showed up in street clothes and wore a protective brace over his sport coat on the bench. Turner was averaging 2.24 blocks per game, second in the league.

"We'll get more information after Friday's game," coach Nate McMillan said.

UP NEXT

Heat: Return home to face Milwaukee on Sunday.

Pacers: Are seeking their third straight win against Cleveland this season when the Cavaliers come to town Friday.

Rubio, Jazz drop turnover-plagued Wizards 107-104

By BENJAMIN STANDIG
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Washington Wizards had every reason to take the Jazz seriously after they were routed by 47 points in Utah last month.

Nonetheless, their uneven play against inferior opponents continued.

Ricky Rubio scored 21 points, Donovan Mitchell had 16 and the short-handed Jazz completed a season sweep of the Wizards with a 107-104 win on Wednesday night.

Ekpe Udoh scored 16 points and Joe Johnson had 16 off the bench for the Jazz, who had lost 13 of 16 in between meetings with Washington. The Wizards (23-18), who were embarrassed 116-69 in Utah on Dec. 4, fell to 11-10 against teams with losing records.

"That is something you never stop thinking about as a competitor," Washington forward Kelly Oubre Jr. said of the previous drubbing, "and that's why it hurts even more to lose this one."

Utah played without two starters, and second-leading scorer Rodney Hood was ejected in the second half.

"We had a great effort from a lot of guys and I think at the end there's just a determination," Jazz coach Quin Snyder. "We were fortunate that a few shots missed and we made a couple big ones when we needed to. I thought we made some of our own luck tonight."

Washington did not have John Wall in the first meeting with Utah. The four-time All-Star had 35 points and 11 assists but committed eight of the Wizards' season-high-matching 23 turnovers.

Bradley Beal had 23 points, but lost the ball with 2.9 seconds remaining while attempting a game-tying 3-pointer.

"You're not going to win a game if you turn it over that many times," Beal said.

Washington shot 8-for-22 in the fourth quarter.

"We know on offense you can make or miss shots but on defense you've got to make stops at the end," Rubio said, "and I think we did it tonight and that's why we got the win."

The Wizards shot 52.6 percent from the field but lost their second straight after winning their previous four. Utah (17-24) got just its fourth road win of the season.

Washington trailed by 10 early in the fourth quarter before Wall hit a pair of 3-pointers during an 11-3 surge that gave the Wizards a one-point lead.

Joe Ingles responded with a 3-pointer that put Utah ahead 104-102 with 1:09 remaining. Washington's defense erred with an ill-advised double-team on Mitchell's penetration.

"It was good in the first half, (but) in that third quarter, and then the last two minutes we made so many mistakes. ... It cannot happen," Wizards coach Scott Brooks said.

Washington led most of the first half and 50-46 at halftime, but Utah seized momentum with a 16-3 run in the third quarter, during which Hood received his second technical foul. Rubio's jumper after one of the Wizards' nine turnovers in the quarter put the Jazz up 83-75.

TIP-INS

Jazz: Utah outscored Washington 37-27 in the third, and Udoh scored 10 points in the period. . Ingles had 10 points. ... Already without C Rudy Gobert, Utah played without F/C Derrick Favors (right ankle sprain).

Wizards: F Otto Porter (hip, back) had 14 points after missing Saturday's game against Milwaukee. Oubre had 12 points. ... The team handed out All-Star Game promotional boxes with images of Wall and Beal on the front. Items inside included M&Ms with pictures of each guard and "(hash)NBAvote" on the back. ... F Devin Robinson, Washington's lone two-way contract player, joined the Wizards for the first time this season.

FLIP PHONE

Walking off the court following his ejection with 2:21 remaining in the third, Hood smacked a phone out of the hands of a fan in the stands. The Jazz responded with a 9-0 run.

FOURTH QUARTER FLOP

Beal's run of poor shooting late in games continued. Washington's leading scorer missed 6 of 7 shots in the final period after going 0-for-8 in his previous two fourth quarters.

UP NEXT

Jazz: Close their four-game trip at Charlotte on Friday night.

Wizards: Continue their homestand Friday against Orlando.

Barnes, Ferrell lead Mavericks past Hornets 115-111

By STEVE REED
AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Mavericks point guard Dennis Smith Jr. had a simple strategy in the fourth quarter when it came to Harrison Barnes.

"Give him the ball and get out of the way," Smith said.

Barnes had 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, Yogi Ferrell made seven 3-pointers and scored 22 points and the Mavericks fended off fatigue to beat a fresh Charlotte Hornets team 115-111 on Wednesday night. Barnes made all five of his shots in the fourth quarter and added 11 rebounds for the Mavericks, who won on back-to-back nights.

Barnes said he liked his matchup against Frank Kaminsky in the fourth quarter.

"I just tried to be aggressive and attack the rim," Barnes said. "I saw a few shots drop and I was kind of in a rhythm after that. Coach kept going to me and just kept on converting."

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle called Barnes' game "absolutely brilliant."

"He hit on a variety of shots - 2s, 3s, drives," Carlisle said. "Look that's what great players do. Really proud of him. He had a pretty good rhythm going all night. We just needed to get the ball in his hands."

Dirk Nowitzki added 19 points - one shy of his season high - and Smith had 15 points and six assists.

It was a crushing loss for the Hornets, who were coming off a 3-1 West Coast road trip that included a win over the Golden State Warriors.

Kemba Walker had 41 points on 16-of-28 shooting for the Hornets. Dwight Howard had 15 points and 12 rebounds for Charlotte, but was an anemic 5 of 18 from the foul line, which proved costly in a close game.

The Mavericks were playing their third game in four days, while the Hornets were coming off a four-day layoff. But Dallas showed no signs of wearing down in the fourth quarter, repeatedly thwarting Charlotte's attempts to take the lead.

Charlotte trailed by six entering the fourth quarter, but Jeremy Lamb buried a 3-pointer from the right wing to pull the Hornets even with 9 minutes left.

But the Hornets could never grab the lead.

The big play came with 2 minutes remaining when Salah Mejri ripped an offensive rebound away from Howard and kicked the ball out to Ferrell, who buried a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give the Mavericks a 5-point lead.

Barnes followed with a long 3 on the next possession.

"I told him, if you aren't getting the ball enough, let me know," Smith said. "I will do whatever it takes to get it to you, especially if you are in a groove like that. That's what he does, he closes."

TIP INS:

Mavericks: The team was awarded two-way forward Jalen Jones on a waiver claim. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. In a related move, the Mavericks also requested waivers on two-way guard Kyle Collinsworth.

Hornets: Hornets associate head coach Stephen Silas said backup center Cody Zeller is "not very close" to returning to action following his left knee injury. "He just started doing some spot shooting, but he's not very close," Silas said.

DIRK DOES IT AGAIN: Yes, it's painful to watch him run up and down the court, but Nowitzki still finds a way to be productive in his 20th season. He repeatedly hit big shots - both 3s and fadeaways - at clutch times.

"Dirk's really one of the most amazing athletes I've ever seen or been around," Carlisle said. "To perform like this at the advanced age of 39 in the NBA is just unbelievable."

HORNETS `DIRE' WITHOUT WALKER: The Hornets (15-24) are struggling, but Silas said things would be "pretty dire" to imagine the team without Walker, who is second in scoring among point guards in the Eastern Conference.

"He does everything," Silas said. "He comes up with big steals. He goes for charges. He makes every big pick and roll play, every shot, every play for everybody else."

UP NEXT:

Mavericks: Host Lakers on Saturday.

Hornets: Host Jazz on Friday.

Drummond's double-double leads Pistons past Nets 114-80

By MICHAEL SCOTTO
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) -- Andre Drummond and Tobias Harris carried Detroit to an easy road win in Brooklyn.

Drummond scored 22 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, Harris had 22 points, and the Pistons beat the Nets 114-80 on Wednesday night.

"I'm not a real creative offensive guy, as you guys all know," Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy joked after the game. "If we find something that's working, I tend to just keep going to it. Tobias got off to a great start. I thought Andre Drummond was outstanding all night."

Dwight Buycks added 17 points for the Pistons.

"I thought from the jump we got good defensive stops," Harris said. "We were able to get out in transition. Andre was a big focus, especially for them, so we were able to get some open looks and just capitalize off that."

Allen Crabbe scored 20 points and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 15 points for the Nets, who have lost three in a row.

"They were just the aggressor, more physical," Crabbe said. "They made us turn the ball over. They basically had control of the game for the majority of the game. Trying to play catch up in this league is not easy. They kept their foot on the gas and we just couldn't win through the storm."

Detroit took a 90-61 lead heading into the fourth quarter and led by as many as 40 points, 104-64, with 8:20 remaining.

Drummond led Detroit with 18 points and 13 rebounds at the half as the Pistons took a 63-41 lead into the locker room. Crabbe paced Brooklyn with 14 points at the half.

Harris led Detroit with 14 points in the first quarter as the Pistons took a 34-26 lead.

TIP-INS

Pistons: Van Gundy praised Buycks' recent play in the past five games after being inactive for the first 32 games of the season. "I think he's played well," Van Gundy said. "He's attacked, he's played aggressively and he can score the ball." ... Jon Leuer (sprained left ankle) and Reggie Jackson (sprained right ankle) were out.

Nets: Coach Kenny Atkinson was asked about Brooklyn earning the respect from officials after several controversial calls recently. "I think you earn respect with your play," he said. "It's like when you were a seventh grader and you go to the playground, and the big kids are pushing you around or maybe making all the calls. As you get better, as you improve your game somehow that turns the other way. We've got to earn our respect through our play. That's the way we feel." . DeMarre Carroll (right knee sprain), D'Angelo Russell (left knee surgery), Isaiah Whitehead (G-League assignment) and Jeremy Lin (ruptured patella tendon, right knee) were out.

UP NEXT

Pistons: Visit Chicago on Saturday. It's the final game of a three-game road trip for Detroit.

Nets: Visit Atlanta on Friday. It's the start of a two-game road trip for Brooklyn.

Markkanen, Dunn help Bulls outlast Knicks 122-119 in 2 OTs

By BRIAN MAHONEY
AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- Lauri Markkanen had knocked down eight 3-pointers and almost knocked out his coach with a soaring slam, but Kris Dunn couldn't get anything to fall.

He kept shooting, and eventually hit the shot that put the Bulls on top for good.

Markkanen scored a season-high 33 points, Dunn shook off a nightmarish shooting night to make the tiebreaking basket in the second overtime, and Chicago beat the New York Knicks 122-119 on Wednesday night.

"It was a hard-fought win," Markkanen said. "We could have ended it a little bit earlier, but (that's) just how we won."

Dunn had missed 14 of his first 17 shots before banking in a runner with just under a minute left in the second extra period and Markkanen finished it off by making two free throws with 6.8 seconds remaining.

The rookie added 10 rebounds.

"For Lauri to come in on the big stage, the World's Most Famous Arena, and hit eight 3s and play against arguably the best power forward in the league in Porzingis, play 46 minutes and hit those big free throws late, just tells you everything you need to know," coach Fred Hoiberg said.

Robin Lopez and Denzel Valentine each scored 20 points for the Bulls in their third narrow victory over the Knicks this season. Markkanen was 8 of 15 behind the arc though his highlight play was at the rim, when he threw down a dunk over Knicks center Enes Kanter .

"I damn near passed out when he dunked that one," Hoiberg said.

"When he took that full court and just cocked it back, I was speechless. I got chills. It was crazy."

Michael Beasley 26 points and 12 rebounds off the bench for the Knicks, who lost for the eighth time in 10 games. Kristaps Porzingis finished with 24 points, including a dunk at the buzzer to force the second OT.

`We had opportunities. We didn't get stops at crucial times," Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said.

Lopez then had the first two baskets of the second OT, and after the Knicks got the next two, Dunn made his shot to make it 118-116. He'd had plenty of easier looks that didn't fall, but his teammates and coaches told him to keep shooting.

"The mid-range, that's my shot, and I kept getting to my spots," Dunn said. "I liked the shot and it wasn't falling, and the fact that the sky floater goes in is just like, all right, if that's going to go in, then we're going to have to accept it."

Jarrett Jack had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first triple-double in six years, but threw away a pass after coming up with a steal with the Knicks down two late in the second OT.

TIP-INS

Bulls: Nikola Mirotic missed his second straight game with an illness. ... Chicago ended a four-game losing streak in New York.

Knicks: Beasley was back after missing a game with a sprained left ankle. ... The Knicks unveiled their City Edition alternate uniform, which is a tribute to firefighters and their families . The uniform they will debut against Brooklyn on Jan. 30 is dark blue in a nod to the firefighters' dress uniforms, and the shorts feature the logo of the Uniformed Firefighters Association.

ZACH'S ALMOST BACK

Zach LaVine is scheduled to make his Bulls debut Saturday against Detroit after recovering from left ACL surgery. LaVine, acquired in the trade for Jimmy Butler, hoped to play in this game, but neither the Bulls nor their G League affiliate had enough practice days between games to get him ready enough.

"For him to come play in this game, really he would have only had one practice in the last five days," Hoiberg said.

LaVine will practice with the Bulls on Thursday and Friday. Hoiberg said he has been working with the first and second unit.

HARDAWAY'S HEALTH

Tim Hardaway Jr. took part in a full practice this week and will do so again Thursday as he nears his return from a stress injury to his lower left leg. Hardaway last played Nov. 29 and Hornacek said he would slowly increase his workload when he returns to game action - though Hornacek wasn't sure when that would be.

"Tim's itching to go. That's his nature, his mentality," Hornacek said. "But we do have to listen to doctors. We've got to be careful with it and that's why he's been going through this gradual buildup."

MOMS' NIGHT OUT

A number of Bulls players had their mothers watching from the Madison Square Garden seats. The organization held its first "mom's trip" and hosted 11 moms seated together in section 117.

UP NEXT

Bulls: Host Detroit on Saturday.

Knicks: Visit Minnesota on Friday.

Paul's season-high 37 leads Rockets over Blazers 121-112

By KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON (AP) -- With James Harden injured, the Houston Rockets are figuring out different ways to make up for the offense the league's leading scorer normally provides.

On Wednesday night, that meant Chris Paul took 29 shots and finished with a season-high 37 points to help the Rockets to a 121-112 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Paul tied his career high for field-goal attempts in a regulation game. He took 33 shots and scored 42 points in a double-overtime game with New Orleans in 2008.

His 37 points were the most by a Rocket besides Harden since Jeremy Lin had 38 against San Antonio on Dec. 10, 2012.

Paul, who made 13 field goals, was asked if he realized he'd come close to taking the most shots in his career.

"I don't know," he said. "It kind of felt like it. Like goodness. I missed a lot, too. That's what I'm mad about."

Portland coach Terry Stotts said Paul was tough to stop.

"He was exceptional," Stotts said. "He really controlled the game, like he can do. His shot-making was as good as I've seen."

Eric Gordon added 30 points as the Rockets withstood a late run to win their second straight.

The Blazers used a big run to cut a 14-point deficit to three with about three minutes left. Houston responded with a 6-2 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Paul, to make it 111-104 about a minute later.

Damian Lillard made a layup on the other end, but Paul cut through three defenders to make an off-balance layup to push the lead to 113-106.

The Blazers couldn't get the ball in after a timeout, Houston got the ball back and Clint Capela added two free throws to secure the victory.

The Rockets won their second straight and improved to 3-2 in five games without Harden, who is out for at least two weeks with a hamstring injury.

Lillard scored 29 after missing the last two games with a strained right calf, and C.J. McCollum added 24 points as the Blazers saw a three-game winning streak snapped.

Paul had 11 assists, seven rebounds and three steals, and Capela added 13 points with eight rebounds.

Gerald Green scored all of Houston's points in a 5-2 run that extended the lead to 103-89 midway through the fourth period. He finished with 12 points and has scored in double digits in seven straight games for the first time since 2015.

"We're having to manufacture points in different ways," Paul said. "Gerald continues to be great and be aggressive. ... James averages 30 and we're just doing it by committee."

Lillard scored the first seven points of an 11-0 spurt that got the Trail Blazers within 103-100 with about 3 1/2 minutes left.

Paul received a technical in that span for arguing about a foul called on P.J. Tucker.

The Rockets led by nine entering the fourth quarter and were up by 11 with about 7 1/2 minutes remaining after Gordon scored four points. He made a layup before missing a shot on the next possession, only to grab it with one hand and finish with a dunk that made it 98-87.

Portland's Ed Davis was called for a flagrant foul late in the third when he hit Tarik Black in the right eye as Black dunked. Black remained on the court for a couple of minutes before being helped to his feet and escorted to the locker room, holding a towel over his right eye. The team said he had an abrasion to his right eye and he'll miss Friday's game.

Paul made the free throw on that play, and Tucker added a layup after that to extend the lead to 84-74.

The Rockets led 55-45 at halftime.

TIP-INS

Trail Blazers: Lillard had eight assists and five rebounds and made 10 of 12 free throws. ... Portland had six blocks, led by Jusuf Nurkic's three.

Rockets: Black tied a season high with 13 points. ... Nene missed his fourth straight game with a bruised right knee. ... Gordon has scored 20 or more points in 21 games this season after doing so in only 19 games last season.

NICE PUTBACK

Gordon's teammates were impressed with his dunk in the fourth quarter. Paul called it "sick."

"I surprise myself sometimes," Gordon said with a laugh. "When I saw it floating in the air, I just went after it."

HE SAID IT

Lillard on being unable to combat Houston's runs: "When you're dealing with a team that shoots 3s as much as them and as well, you can't give them extra possessions and I thought we did that on too many occasions."

UP NEXT

Trail Blazers: Visit New Orleans on Friday.

Rockets: Visit Phoenix on Friday.

Butler scores 26 to lead Timberwolves past Thunder 104-88

By BRIAN HALL
Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Taj Gibson and his teammates knew the Minnesota Timberwolves' four-game homestand was going to be tough.

After all, New Orleans, Cleveland, Oklahoma City and New York were coming to town. Well, three games in, Minnesota has answered the challenge and demonstrated how much it has grown this season.

Jimmy Butler scored 26 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had eight assists for the Timberwolves in a 104-88 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.

"We were shaking our heads and just hoping that we can do well," Gibson said. "But the way we've been playing, we have a lot of confidence."

Andrew Wiggins added 19 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points and 12 rebounds as Minnesota pulled away in the second half to win its third game in a row and 10th in its last 13 overall.

Taking the season series 3-1 from division foe Oklahoma City capped a stretch in which the Timberwolves beat New Orleans by 18 points and Cleveland by 28. Minnesota led by at least 34 in each of those games.

Wednesday proved to be a bit tougher against the physical Thunder, but the Wolves outscored Oklahoma City 29-19 in the third and led by as many as 16 in the fourth.

"Guess we're, I don't know, growing a little bit," Butler said. "For us to go out there and guard the way we did, do what we talked about in shootaround and the day before in practice, it's huge for us. We're growing as a unit."

Russell Westbrook had 38 points and 10 rebounds, but the rest of the Thunder had a tough time shooting. Westbrook was 15 of 23 from the field, while his teammates were 17 of 56 (30.3 percent).

Carmelo Anthony scored 15 points on 5-of-19 shooting, while Paul George finished 5 of 14 for 13 points for Oklahoma City, which has lost five of seven.

"We've got to lock in and get a win," Westbrook said. "That's all I can say."

George scored just two points in the first half.

"We were getting good looks," George said. "I thought we got shots that we'd been shooting all season. A lot of catch-and-shoot opportunities. It's like that. I think personally, I should've tried to play around the basket a little more, just to get something early, see the ball go down and work my way up."

The Thunder shot 28.6 percent in the third quarter (6 of 21). Meanwhile, the Wolves hit 62.5 percent (10 of 16) to take control.

NOT CLOSE THIS TIME

The first three games between the teams were decided by a combined nine-point margin. Minnesota won the first two games by a total of five points. Oklahoma City came back with a four-point win at home on Dec. 1 as George scored 36 points.

"I think both teams are probably a lot different today than when we faced all the way back in the beginning of December," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. "I think maybe early in the year, they were maybe not as great defensively and now they're getting better. I thought tonight they played well."

TIP-INS

Thunder: G Andre Roberson missed his sixth straight game with left patellar tendinitis and coach Billy Donovan said he would also miss Saturday's game. ... Oklahoma City tied a season high with 20 turnovers. ... In the first three meetings, Thunder C Steven Adams was 27 of 33 from the field for a combined 64 points. He scored eight on 2-of-5 shooting on Wednesday.

Timberwolves: Minnesota held its opponent under 100 points for the seventh straight game. The last time the Wolves have held teams under 100 in seven consecutive games was Jan. 5-Feb. 8, 2007. ... Minnesota had its fifth consecutive sellout, the first time for the franchise since March 21-April 4, 2004. The Wolves won their sixth straight home game, the longest streak since the team won 14 in a row from Dec. 16, 2003-Feb. 6, 2004.

TEAGUE RETURNS

Minnesota point guard Jeff Teague returned after missing seven games with a sprained MCL in his left knee. Teague played 26 minutes and scored eight points with four rebounds and three assists.

Including a four-game absence for a sore right Achilles, Teague has missed 11 games this season. The Wolves are 6-5 without Teague and 20-11 with him in the lineup.

In his first season in Minnesota, Teague entered the night averaging 13.4 points and a team-high 7.3 assists per game.

UP NEXT

Thunder: Play at Charlotte on Saturday.

Timberwolves: Host the New York Knicks on Friday.

Giannis, Bucks wear down lowly Magic in 110-103 win

By GENARO C. ARMAS
AP Sports Writer

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- With a lineup full of long, athletic players, the Milwaukee Bucks can make up for poor nights from the 3-point line by wearing down opponents in transition.

They ran away from Orlando on Wednesday night once they figured out how to slow down the lowly Magic.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points, Khris Middleton added 22 and the Bucks turned up their defensive intensity after a porous first quarter for a 110-103 win on Wednesday night.

John Henson picked up his fifth double-double of the year with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, who handed the Magic their sixth straight loss and 15th in their last 16.

"Our defense is our biggest thing right now so we can get out on transition," guard Eric Bledsoe said. "I thought we got a lot of easy buckets in transition - that's our game."

Antetokounmpo was a matchup problem all night around the rim. His play helped make up for the Bucks' poor night from beyond the arc, where they were 4 of 19 (21 percent).

The 6-foot-11 forward backed down Aaron Gordon in the post, then used a spin move to drive for a layup on a three-point play for a 66-57 lead with 7:55 left in the third.

After an empty Orlando possession, Antetokounmpo took a feed along the baseline from Bledsoe for an uncontested dunk. The Magic called timeout but it did not help.

"In the third quarter, the starting group did a really good job of taking control of the game," Milwaukee coach Jason Kidd said.

Leading by 20 to start the fourth quarter, Kidd was able to get some rest for Antetokounmpo and Bledsoe (15 points) with the Golden State Warriors visiting Milwaukee on Friday night.

Evan Fournier had 21 points to lead Orlando, which cut the deficit to single digits during the closing minutes with reserves on the floor.

Gordon had 11 points but was just 4 of 18 from the field in 30 minutes, including a stretch of 12 straight missed shots in the second and third quarters. He was averaging 24.8 points over his previous five games.

After shooting 50 percent in the first quarter, Orlando tailed off to 32 percent (15 of 46) in the second and third quarters combined.

"I think we're fighting. I think we're playing hard," coach Frank Vogel said. "We're just not a very good basketball team right now. We got to fight and execute."

TIP-INS

Magic: A stretch of losing has led to questions from some fans about whether Orlando should be tanking for a high draft pick. Vogel wants no part of that discussion. "That's not a word I digest. I'm trying to build a winning culture, winning habits. And that's my only focus," Vogel said before the game.

Bucks: F Jabari Parker is on target to return from a left knee injury the week before the All-Star break. Kidd said Parker was doing great and is about a month away from playing. ... Henson had an active night , including eight points and eight rebounds to help the Bucks take a seven-point halftime lead.

OUT OF THE PAINT

Middleton said the Bucks made a concerted effort to keep the Magic out of the lane after the first quarter, forcing them to take contested jumpers. Gordon didn't have his outside shot to make up for his lack of production inside.

"I mean, they've got a long defense," Gordon said. "They don't make it easy for you to score at the rim. My outside shot definitely was not falling tonight."

NO SHOT

The Magic also had a tough night from 3-point range, shooting 2 of 13 (15 percent) in the first half. They finished 8 of 29 (27 percent), including 4 of 8 by Marreese Speights (14 points).

QUOTABLE

"Energy-wise, it was a 10. Sharing the ball, getting stops ... I thought they did a great job." - Kidd.

UP NEXT

Magic: Wrap up a three-game trip with a visit to the Washington Wizards on Friday.

Bucks: Reach the midpoint of the season by hosting Golden State on Friday.