UNDATED (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets had just one of their top-3 players available against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, but he had his most productive game of the season.
Kevin Durant poured in 22 of his season-high 42 points in the third quarter to help the Eastern Conference leaders post a 130-113 win over the Pacers. Durant hit 16 of 24 shots and had 10 assists in his eighth start since being sidelined for nearly two months with a hamstring injury.
Alize Johnson had 20 points and 21 rebounds for the Nets, who are an NBA-best 29-8 since Feb. 10.
Brooklyn leads the conference by 1 1/2 games over the 76ers following its fourth straight win.
The Bucks’ shot at the No. 1 seed in the East continues to fade after a 143-136 loss to the NBA-worst Rockets. Kevin Porter torched Milwaukee for 50 points and Houston took control by outscoring the Bucks, 39-25 in the third quarter.
Khris Middleton had a team-high 33 points for the Bucks, who played all but one minute without forward Giannis Antetokounmpo because of a sprained ankle. The two-time reigning MVP will be re-evaluated on Friday.
The Bucks’ loss drops them 4 1/2 games behind the Nets.
Checking out Thursday’s other NBA action:
— Nikola Jokic delivered 19 points and 11 rebounds in just three quarters to lead the Nuggets to a 121-111 downing of the Raptors. Michael Porter Jr. scored 23 points for the Nuggets, who had seven players score in double figures and used a 31-8 run in the second half to win their fourth straight. Denver improved to 8-1 since Jamal Murray went down with a torn ACL in his left knee on April 12.
— Tim Hardaway Jr. provided a career-high 42 points and the Mavericks overcame the absence of Luka Doncic in a 115-105 victory over the Pistons. Hardaway scored 17 points in a row during a fourth-quarter stretch, capping that run with a 3-pointer with 1:05 remaining that put the Mavericks up 109-105. Trey Burke added 15 points for Dallas, which moved a game ahead of Portland for the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference.
— Anthony Edwards furnished 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter as the Timberwolves surprised the Warriors, 126-114. Ricky Rubio scored 26 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 with 11 rebounds for the Wolves. Stephen Curry overcame early shooting struggles to finish with 37 points for Golden State.
— The Pelicans earned a 109-95 win over the Thunder behind Zion Williamson’s 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Brandon Ingram added 24 points for New Orleans. Oklahoma City has dropped 15 of its last 16.
