UNDATED (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets still own the best record in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. The improved to 18-8 with a 113-105 downing of the Hawks.
Kevin Durant poured in 31 points, including a go-ahead jumper midway through the fourth quarter. Durant’s jumper sparked an 8-0 run that gave the Nets a 103-95 lead.
James Harden had 20 points and 11 assists for Brooklyn, which is 2-0 versus Atlanta this season and 8-0 following losses.
Trae Young led Atlanta with 31 points, John Collins had 20 and Kevin Huerter added 19.
Checking out Friday’s other NBA action:
— The Suns clobbered the Celtics, 111-90 as JaVale McGee had season highs with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Chris Paul had 12 assists as Phoenix won for the 20th time in its last 21 games. The Suns won without injured guard Devin Booker and center Deandre Ayton, who was out with a non-COVID illness.
— The Bucks snapped the Houston Rockets’ seven-game winning streak with a 123-114 victory. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 41 points and 17 rebounds for Milwaukee, which trailed by 10 at one point. Bobby Portis and Khris Middleton each added 21 points as the Bucks won for the 11th time in 13 games.
— The Lakers are back over .500 after LeBron James scored 33 points on 13 of 20 shooting in a 116-95 rout of the Thunder. James also had six assists and five rebounds after sitting out the Lakers’ first two games against the Thunder this season, both losses. Avery Bradley added a season-high 22 points for the Lakers to offset rookie Tre Mann’s season-high 19 points for Oklahoma City.
— Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland and Kevin Love all had double-doubles as the Cavaliers dumped the Timberwolves, 123-106. Allen finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland, which had seven players score in double figures. Garland chipped in 12 points and 12 assists, and Love added 18 points and 13 rebounds off the bench.
— The Pacers have their first three-game winning streak of the season after Caris LeVert dropped in 26 points and Domantas Sabonis had a double-double in a 106-93 win over the Mavericks. Indiana trailed by five before going on a 12-0 run bridging the last two quarters. Luka Doncic fell just short of his 39th career triple-double with 27 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for Dallas.
— The Raptors blew a 20-point, first-quarter lead before beating the Knicks for the 10th straight time at home, 90-87. Gary Trent provided 24 points, including a 3-pointer with 1:11 left put Toronto back on top, 89-87. Fred VanVleet had 17 points and 11 assists in the Raptors’ third win in four games.
— Charlotte rookie James Bouknight poured in a season-high 24 points on six 3-pointers to lead a 124-123 victory over the Kings. Miles Bridges added 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for the Hornets, and Kelly Oubre had 22 points. Kings guard De’Aaron Fox led all scorers with 31 points but missed a pair of free throws with 2.4 seconds remaining.
— Brandon Ingram provided 26 points as the Pelicans dealt the Pistons their 11th loss in a row, 109-93. Jonas Valanciunas had 17 points and 11 rebounds for New Orleans, which trailed by as many as 15 in the second quarter and led by as many as 27 in the second half. Trey Lyles scored 18 and rookie Cade Cunningham added 16 points for Detroit.
