NBA SCOREBOARD…
Milwaukee 126 – DETROIT 117… The Bucks got the better of the Pistons in a matchup of short-handed teams. Kris Middleton scored a game-high 34 points. Brook Lopez had 24 points and 14 rebounds. Jevon Carter tossed in 22 points. Bobby Portis finished with 21 points and 14 boards.
Dallas 127 – INDIANA 104… The Mavericks kept their playoff hopes alive by cruising past the Pacers to snap a four-game skid. Luka Doncic scored 25 points to lead a balanced scoring attack. Jaden Hardy contributed 20 points off the bench.
NEW YORK 137 – Houston 115… The Knicks pulled away in the second half to rout the Rockets for their first win in four games. Immanuel Quickley poured in 40 points. Julius Randle tossed in 26 points.
Phoenix 117 – UTAH 103… The Suns buried the Jazz with a 17-2 second-half run. Devin Booker pumped in 24 points. Four other players scored in double figures for Phoenix. Chris Paul dished off 10 assists.
DENVER 116 – Philadelphia 111… The Nuggets withstood a fourth-quarter rally to down the short-handed 76ers in a matchup of conference front-runners. Nikola Jokic piled up 25 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists.
New Orleans 124 – PORTLAND 90… The Pelicans jumped out to a 34-14 lead after the first quarter and never looked back in their blowout of the Trail Blazers. Brandon Ingram led the way with 29 points. Jonas Valanciunas pulled down 21 boards to go with his 10 points.
Minnesota 119 – SACRAMENTO 115… The Timberwolves were too much in the fourth quarter and grinded out a win over the Kings. Jaden McDaniels scored 20 points to lead seven players in double figures. Rudy Gobert had 16 points and as many rebounds.
L.A. CLIPPERS 124 – Chicago 112… The Clippers shook off a slow start to roll past the Bulls. Nicolas Batum led a balanced scoring attack with 24 points. Eric Gordon and Kawhi Leonard added 22 points apiece.