UNDATED (AP) — A pair of returning Miami Heat players helped the team earn its third straight win.
Jimmy Butler returned from a bruised tailbone to score 17 points and grab 11 rebounds as the Heat topped the Magic, 93-83.
Caleb Martin added 17 points and Omer Yurtseven was productive in his first career start at center, finishing with 16 points and 15 boards.
Butler had missed 12 of Miami’s last 13 games because of the injury. Martin had missed Miami’s last seven games because of a stint in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
Checking out Sunday’s other NBA action:
— The Cavaliers tied their franchise record with 46 points in the third quarter of a 144-99 rout over the COVID-19 depleted Raptors. Kevin Love and Darius Garland scored 22 points apiece, with Garland grabbing eight assists. Lauri Markkanen added 20 points to the laugher.
— Zach LaVine provided 32 points in his first game since emerging from the NBA’s health and safety protocols, helping the Bulls earn a 113-105 win over the Pacers. DeMar DeRozan added 24 in Chicago’s third win in a row. Nikola Vucevic had 16 points and 15 rebounds as the Bulls improved to 20-10.
— Desmond Bane scored 28 points and the Grizzlies defeated Sacramento for the second time in 10 days, 127-102. Ja Morant had 18 points, nine assists and seven rebounds to help the Grizzlies end a three-game losing streak. Jaren Jackson scored 21 points and John Konchar added 11 points and 14 rebounds to the win.
— Nikola Jokic had 26 points, grabbed 22 rebounds and hit a pair of big free throws in the closing seconds of the Nuggets’ 103-100 victory over the Clippers. Will Barton added 17 points for Denver, which blew a 19-point lead before snapping a two-game skid. Brandon Boston and Bledsoe led the Clippers with 18 points apiece, Bledsoe also had 10 assists and Ivica Zubac chipped in 17 points and 11 rebounds.
— Joel Embiid had 36 points and 13 rebounds in the 76ers’ 117-96 win over the Wizards. Consecutive 3-pointers by Tyrese Maxey, Seth Curry and Embiid keyed a 15-0 run that put the 76ers ahead 80-59 with 5:22 to play in the third quarter. Tobias Harris added 23 points in the Sixers’ second win in six games.
— Keldon Johnson dropped in 27 points and the Spurs had their highest-scoring game of the season in a 144-109 thumping of the Pistons. San Antonio has won three straight to move into 10th in the Western Conference. Spurs reserve center Jock Landale had 18 points, starting center Jakob Poeltl added 14 and Doug McDermott scored 13.
— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and rookie Aaron Wiggins added a season-high 24 as the Thunder ended the Pelicans’ four-game winning streak, 117-112. Oklahoma City scored 15 straight points in taking a 17-3 lead. Josh Hart had 29 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Pelicans.
