Lillard scores 29 points as Bucks beat Hornets

By Canadian Press on February 5, 2025.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Damian Lillard had 29 points and 12 assists, Bobby Portis had 23 points and 17 rebounds in his first game since Jan. 23 and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Charlotte Hornets 112-102 on Wednesday night in their first game since trading longtime guard Khris Middleton.

Brook Lopez added 14 points on four 3s as the Bucks snapped a four-game losing skid.

Nick Smith Jr. had 23 points on four 3s for Charlotte, which has lost six straight.

The Bucks pushed their lead to 21 in the third quarter, repeatedly getting open looks from beyond the arc against a depleted Hornets roster.

Lillard was forced to carry the load for the Bucks, who played without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo went through pre-game warmups and was introduced before being scratched due to left calf soreness minutes before tipoff.

CAVALIERS 118, PISTONS 115

DETROIT (AP) — Darius Garland hit a 31-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Cleveland a win over Detroit.

The Cavaliers, playing without All-Star Donovan Mitchell who missed the game with a shoulder contusion, overcame nine points from Detroit’s Cade Cunningham in 11 seconds.

Cunningham made it 112-109 with a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left, but Garland hit a free throw to make it a two-possession game.

Cunningham made three free throws to pull Detroit within one with 7.3 seconds to go. The Pistons fouled Garland, who made 115-112. Cleveland fouled Cunningham on a 3-point attempt, and he hit all three, tying the game with five seconds left. Garland rushed down the court and hit the winning shot from just inside the center-court logo.

Evan Mobley had 30 points for Cleveland and Garland added 25. Cunningham had 38 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.

SPURS 126, HAWKS 125

ATLANTA (AP) — Victor Wembanyama broke a tie with a free throw with 2.4 seconds left and De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points in his first game for San Antonio, leading the Spurs to a victory over Atlanta.

Fox arrived from Sacramento in a three-team trade Sunday and started in his San Antonio debut as Wembanyama’s new point guard.

Wembanyama, who also had 24 points, intentionally missed the second free throw, denying Atlanta the opportunity for an inbounds play. Trae Young missed a last-second 3-pointer.

Wembanyama added 12 rebounds. Fox matched his season high with 13 assists.

Young had 32 points with 12 assists for Atlanta. Onyeka Okongwu had a career-high 30 points.

WIZARDS 119, NETS 102

NEW YORK (AP) — Jordan Poole scored 19 points to lead Washington to a win over Brooklyn.

Poole was one of six Wizards (9-41) to finish in double-figure scoring as Washington won its third straight game. Kyshawn George and Corey Kispert each had 17 while Bub Carrington chipped in 16.

Keon Johnson scored 25 points and Cam Johnson added 17 for Brooklyn (17-34).

Leading 88-73 entering the fourth quarter, the Wizards used a 15-9 spurt in the first 5 1/2 minutes to extend their lead to 103-82. Kispert, Carrington, and George each knocked down long 3s in the stretch.

HEAT 108, 76ERS 101

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 30 points Wednesday, and Bam Adebayo had 18 points and 13 rebounds as Miami defeated Philadelphia on the night the Heat traded Jimmy Butler to Golden State.

The game played out amid online reports in the first half that Butler would be traded to the Warriors. Butler was suspended by the team for the game, and Josh Richardson, also reportedly part of the deal, was out with a foot injury.

Tyrese Maxey scored 31, his seventh straight scoring at least 30 points. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 15 points and 11 rebounds. The 76ers forced 22 turnovers but couldn’t capitalize on them.

GRIZZLIES 138, RAPTORS 107

TORONTO (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 32 points, Ja Morant had 16 of his 26 in the third quarter and Memphis won their fourth straight game, routing Toronto.

Making his first professional appearance in his home city, Grizzlies rookie Zach Edey had 13 points and 14 rebounds for his eighth double-double and third in three games.

The Grizzlies won their third consecutive meeting with the Raptors and their fifth straight in Toronto.

Memphis scored a franchise-record 155 points in Dec. 26 home win over Toronto, including 78 in the first half. The Grizzlies didn’t match that mark Wednesday, but a season-high 85 points in the second half got them close.

Jamal Shead, Ochai Agbaji and Ja’Kobe Walter each scored 14 points for the Raptors. Gradey Dick had 13 and Scottie Barnes added 11.

The Associated Press