UNDATED (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks have dropped the Milwaukee Bucks another half-game out of first place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
Luka Doncic scored 27 points and Kristaps Porzingis had a double-double as the Mavericks dumped the Bucks, 116-101. Porzingis contributed 26 points and 17 rebounds playing on consecutive days for the first time in two months.
Porzingis scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, including eight in a row while giving Dallas the lead for good.
Donte DiVincenzo scored 22 points for the Bucks, who dropped to 1-2 since reigning two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo left the lineup due to left knee soreness.
The outcome puts Milwaukee 3 1/2 games behind the East-leading Nets.
Checking out Thursday’s other NBA action:
— Donovan Mitchell scored 37 points to lead the Jazz to their 23rd straight home victory, 122-103 over the Trail Blazers. Rudy Gobert had 18 points and 21 rebounds for the Jazz, who won the battle of the boards, 58-41 while snapping a two-game skid. Utah went on a 25-4 run over a six-minute stretch to take a 93-72 lead.
— The Clippers earned a 113-103 win over the Suns as Paul George and Kawhi Leonard combined for 60 points. George was 7 of 9 from 3-point range while scoring 33 points in 30 minutes. Leonard furnished 19 of his 27 points in the second half for Los Angeles, which hit 18 3s.
— Jimmy Butler scored 28 points to lead the Heat past the Lakers, 110-104. Victor Oladipo added 18 points but limped off the court, favoring his right knee, after a dunk late in the fourth quarter. Tyler Herro finished with 15 points for the Heat, who bounced back from Tuesday’s 12-point home loss against Memphis.
— Nikola Vucevic and Zach Lavine each scored 22 points and the Bulls earned their third straight win by topping the Raptors, 122-113. LaVine and Vucevic combined for 15 points on an early 19-3 run that gave the Bulls their first 10-point lead. LaVine also had 15 assists, and Lauri Markkanen came off the bench to score 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
— Cory Joseph had a season-high 24 points and seven assists in his first game against his former team, helping the Pistons beat the Kings by a 113-101 margin. Isaiah Stewart added 16 points and 13 rebounds in place of injured Mason Plumlee for the Pistons. Jhalil Okafor had 11 points in his first game since missing 27 straight due to left knee surgery.
— Collin Sexton provided 27 points to help the Cavaliers beat the Thunder for the first time in their last six meetings, 129-102. Taurean Prince scored 22 points and Cleveland began the second half with an 11-0 run to break the game open. Kevin Love had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavs.
