Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points to help the Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 124-101 at home on Friday, bringing Milwaukee down from their NBA Cup championship win.
Five other Cavaliers scored in double figures, including Darius Garland with 16 points, Evan Mobley and Dean Wade with 15 each, Ty Jerome with 13 points, and Jarrett Allen with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 33 points and 14 rebounds. Damian Lillard didn’t travel with the team due to a right calf strain. Khris Middleton scored 14 points off the bench, and Brook Lopez added 10 points.
The Cavaliers have now won three straight games and seven of their last eight. The Bucks had their three-game winning streak ended, although it doesn’t include their 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup final on Tuesday, as that game doesn’t count in the regular-season standings.
Thunder 104, Heat 97
Jalen Williams scored a season-high 33 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 25 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder held off a late rally from the Miami Heat to win.
Luguentz Dort scored 14 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein had 13 points and matched his season-high with 18 rebounds for the Thunder, who won their seventh consecutive official game. Their loss to the Bucks in the NBA Cup final on Tuesday does not count in the standings.
Tyler Herro led Miami with 28 points and a season-high 12 rebounds. Bam Adebayo added 17 points and 10 rebounds. Duncan Robinson and Dru Smith each scored 13 points. Heat star Jimmy Butler left the game with 4:41 remaining in the first quarter due to illness and did not return.
76ers 108, Hornets 98
Joel Embiid scored 12 of his game-high 34 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a home win over the Charlotte Hornets.
Tyrese Maxey contributed 23 points, and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 22 points, each hitting four 3-pointers. This win marked Philadelphia’s second victory over Charlotte this week. Embiid missed Monday’s game due to a sinus fracture but played with a protective mask against the Hornets.
Vasilije Micic led the Hornets with a season-high 20 points. The Hornets have now lost 12 of their last 13 games. Charlotte played without LaMelo Ball (calf) and Brandon Miller (ankle).
