MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks waived DeMarcus Cousins on Thursday, a little over a month after signing the veteran center.
Milwaukee had until Friday to decide whether to guarantee his contract for the rest of the season or waive him.
The 31-year-old Cousins averaged 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 16.9 minutes in 17 games after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-milwaukee-brook-lopez-brooklyn-nets-fb4a591ce86dba0956578d2792cdb1f2">signing with the Bucks</a> on Nov. 30. He had 15 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes Wednesday night in a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-nba-sports-health-toronto-591a950b009aaa7835d273ae3f7caad4">117-111 home loss</a> to the Toronto Raptors.
Last season, the four-time All-Star played a combined 41 games with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers averaging 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 17.4 minutes.
<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/couside01.html">Cousins earned second-team all-NBA honors</a> in 2015 and 2016 before being slowed by injuries, including a ruptured Achilles’ tendon, a torn quadriceps muscle and a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Milwaukee could still use some frontcourt depth due to the absence of center Brook Lopez, who <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-milwaukee-bucks-milwaukee-brook-lopez-f73ebf0d9c8c342fdfa6bee17ad537f8">underwent back surgery</a> last month and hasn’t played since the Bucks’ season opener.
The Bucks (25-15) have lost two straight and begin a three-game road swing Friday night at Brooklyn.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The Milwaukee Bucks waived DeMarcus Cousins on Thursday, a little over a month after signing the veteran center.
Milwaukee had until Friday to decide whether to guarantee his contract for the rest of the season or waive him.
The 31-year-old Cousins averaged 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 16.9 minutes in 17 games after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-milwaukee-brook-lopez-brooklyn-nets-fb4a591ce86dba0956578d2792cdb1f2">signing with the Bucks</a> on Nov. 30. He had 15 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes Wednesday night in a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-nba-sports-health-toronto-591a950b009aaa7835d273ae3f7caad4">117-111 home loss</a> to the Toronto Raptors.
Last season, the four-time All-Star played a combined 41 games with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers averaging 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 17.4 minutes.
<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/couside01.html">Cousins earned second-team all-NBA honors</a> in 2015 and 2016 before being slowed by injuries, including a ruptured Achilles&rsquo; tendon, a torn quadriceps muscle and a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Milwaukee could still use some frontcourt depth due to the absence of center Brook Lopez, who <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-milwaukee-bucks-milwaukee-brook-lopez-f73ebf0d9c8c342fdfa6bee17ad537f8">underwent back surgery</a> last month and hasn&rsquo;t played since the Bucks&rsquo; season opener.
The Bucks (25-15) have lost two straight and begin a three-game road swing Friday night at Brooklyn.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The Milwaukee Bucks waived DeMarcus Cousins on Thursday, a little over a month after signing the veteran center.
Milwaukee had until Friday to decide whether to guarantee his contract for the rest of the season or waive him.
The 31-year-old Cousins averaged 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 16.9 minutes in 17 games after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-milwaukee-brook-lopez-brooklyn-nets-fb4a591ce86dba0956578d2792cdb1f2">signing with the Bucks</a> on Nov. 30. He had 15 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes Wednesday night in a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-nba-sports-health-toronto-591a950b009aaa7835d273ae3f7caad4">117-111 home loss</a> to the Toronto Raptors.
Last season, the four-time All-Star played a combined 41 games with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers averaging 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 17.4 minutes.
<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/couside01.html">Cousins earned second-team all-NBA honors</a> in 2015 and 2016 before being slowed by injuries, including a ruptured Achilles&rsquo; tendon, a torn quadriceps muscle and a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Milwaukee could still use some frontcourt depth due to the absence of center Brook Lopez, who <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-milwaukee-bucks-milwaukee-brook-lopez-f73ebf0d9c8c342fdfa6bee17ad537f8">underwent back surgery</a> last month and hasn&rsquo;t played since the Bucks&rsquo; season opener.
The Bucks (25-15) have lost two straight and begin a three-game road swing Friday night at Brooklyn.

The Milwaukee Bucks waived DeMarcus Cousins on Thursday, a little over a month after signing the veteran center.
Milwaukee had until Friday to decide whether to guarantee his contract for the rest of the season or waive him.
The 31-year-old Cousins averaged 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 16.9 minutes in 17 games after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-milwaukee-brook-lopez-brooklyn-nets-fb4a591ce86dba0956578d2792cdb1f2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signing with the Bucks</a> on Nov. 30. He had 15 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes Wednesday night in a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-nba-sports-health-toronto-591a950b009aaa7835d273ae3f7caad4">117-111 home loss</a> to the Toronto Raptors.
Last season, the four-time All-Star played a combined 41 games with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers averaging 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 17.4 minutes.
<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/couside01.html">Cousins earned second-team all-NBA honors</a> in 2015 and 2016 before being slowed by injuries, including a ruptured Achilles&rsquo; tendon, a torn quadriceps muscle and a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Milwaukee could still use some frontcourt depth due to the absence of center Brook Lopez, who <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-milwaukee-bucks-milwaukee-brook-lopez-f73ebf0d9c8c342fdfa6bee17ad537f8">underwent back surgery</a> last month and hasn&rsquo;t played since the Bucks&rsquo; season opener.
The Bucks (25-15) have lost two straight and begin a three-game road swing Friday night at Brooklyn.

The Milwaukee Bucks waived DeMarcus Cousins on Thursday, a little over a month after signing the veteran center.
Milwaukee had until Friday to decide whether to guarantee his contract for the rest of the season or waive him.
The 31-year-old Cousins averaged 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 16.9 minutes in 17 games after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-milwaukee-brook-lopez-brooklyn-nets-fb4a591ce86dba0956578d2792cdb1f2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signing with the Bucks</a> on Nov. 30. He had 15 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes Wednesday night in a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-nba-sports-health-toronto-591a950b009aaa7835d273ae3f7caad4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">117-111 home loss</a> to the Toronto Raptors.
Last season, the four-time All-Star played a combined 41 games with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers averaging 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 17.4 minutes.
<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/couside01.html">Cousins earned second-team all-NBA honors</a> in 2015 and 2016 before being slowed by injuries, including a ruptured Achilles&rsquo; tendon, a torn quadriceps muscle and a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Milwaukee could still use some frontcourt depth due to the absence of center Brook Lopez, who <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-milwaukee-bucks-milwaukee-brook-lopez-f73ebf0d9c8c342fdfa6bee17ad537f8">underwent back surgery</a> last month and hasn&rsquo;t played since the Bucks&rsquo; season opener.
The Bucks (25-15) have lost two straight and begin a three-game road swing Friday night at Brooklyn.

The Milwaukee Bucks waived DeMarcus Cousins on Thursday, a little over a month after signing the veteran center.
Milwaukee had until Friday to decide whether to guarantee his contract for the rest of the season or waive him.
The 31-year-old Cousins averaged 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 16.9 minutes in 17 games after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-milwaukee-brook-lopez-brooklyn-nets-fb4a591ce86dba0956578d2792cdb1f2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signing with the Bucks</a> on Nov. 30. He had 15 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes Wednesday night in a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-nba-sports-health-toronto-591a950b009aaa7835d273ae3f7caad4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">117-111 home loss</a> to the Toronto Raptors.
Last season, the four-time All-Star played a combined 41 games with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers averaging 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 17.4 minutes.
<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/couside01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cousins earned second-team all-NBA honors</a> in 2015 and 2016 before being slowed by injuries, including a ruptured Achilles&rsquo; tendon, a torn quadriceps muscle and a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Milwaukee could still use some frontcourt depth due to the absence of center Brook Lopez, who <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-milwaukee-bucks-milwaukee-brook-lopez-f73ebf0d9c8c342fdfa6bee17ad537f8">underwent back surgery</a> last month and hasn&rsquo;t played since the Bucks&rsquo; season opener.
The Bucks (25-15) have lost two straight and begin a three-game road swing Friday night at Brooklyn.

The Bucks waived DeMarcus Cousins on Thursday, a little over a month after signing the veteran center.

Bucks waive veteran center DeMarcus Cousins

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant had 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists and Memphis built an early lead and coasted to a 118-88 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night, the Grizzlies’ seventh straight win.
Dillon Brooks finished with 18 points, and Tyus Jones and rookie Ziaire Williams added 14 points apiece for Memphis, a season high for Williams.
“Guys understood what the game plan was,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said of taking an early lead and building it through the game. “I thought they came out and did a great job and set the tone in that first quarter. 
“We talked about, ‘We’ve got to keep doing that.’ And luckily, we were able to build on that lead after halftime going into the fourth quarter.”
Saben Lee led the Pistons with 14 points. Hamidou Diallo and rookie Cade Cunningham had 12 apiece. Trey Lyles finished with 10 points.
Memphis led by 16 at the half and extended the advantage in the third quarter as the Pistons continued to struggle shooting. Detroit made only one of its first 10 shots in the third. Eventually, Memphis would build its lead to 82-52 and the Pistons were headed to their second blowout loss on consecutive nights.
It was another night of learning experience for Detroit, which has the second-worst record in the NBA at 7-30. The Pistons, who lost Wednesday night in Charlotte 140-111, quickly found themselves down by double digits against Memphis. The lead would reach 18 early as the Grizzlies shot better than 50%, while the Pistons misfired on all six of their 3-point attempts.
“It’s hard when you put yourself down in the hole,” Detroit center Isaiah Stewart said.
Pistons coach Dwane Casey said there were some lingering effects from the loss at Charlotte and playing a back-to-back on the road. Even when the Pistons tried to make a run, the energy just wasn’t there.
“Our fuel meter was down. Our energy was down from top to bottom. Guys coming off the bench; guys starting,” Casey said, later adding: “It really showed in our shooting. Everything was short, Again, we’ve got to be a team that faces adversity. … Understanding that every night you come out, you’re going to have a gunslinging.”
The Memphis shooting remained near 50%, the lead maintained at double digits and the Grizzlies led 62-46 at the half, Morant and Williams leading the way with 14 points each.
It was the latest in a series of wins in spite of the Grizzlies – like most teams – dealing with missing players because of health and safety protocols.
“We’ve got so much to give,” Brooks said. “The potential is untapped yet. We haven’t even hit on all cylinders.”
LOOK TO THE FUTURE
Casey isn’t looking for success right now with his young team. He made the point that most of the players “should be playing for Memphis State,” a reference to the local college team under Penny Hardaway. “We rarely talk about winning,” Casey said, later adding: “It’s the same thing where Memphis was when Ja (Morant) first got here a few years ago. It’s no mystery. We’re rebuilding.”
MORANT ALL STAR
The first returns were released Thursday in the All-Star voting and Morant is third among guards in the Western Conference. His teammates said they were not surprised. “He brings it every night. Every single night. There’s never an off game,” Brooks said of Morant. “That’s why I love playing with this guy.”
TIP-INS
Pistons: Saddiq Bey, who averages 15.1 points a game, was held scoreless until a 3-pointer with 3:28 left. He missed his previous five shots in the game. … C Isaiah Stewart was back in the starting lineup after missing the previous six games under the health and safety protocol. … Lee had 10 points at the half, hitting all three of his shots, including a pair of 3-pointers.
Grizzlies: Of the eight players on the injury report, four were listed under the health and safety protocol. Before the game, Jenkins said all of the players have been cleared from the protocols and would return when ready. Brooks and De’Anthony Melton were available. … The seven-game winning streak matched a winning span between Jan. 8 and Feb. 1, 2021. … Williams started his first NBA game. His previous scoring high was 11 points on Nov. 3 against Denver. …Steven Adams had 14 rebounds. …Memphis scored 70 points in the paint, the ninth game where the Grizzlies have had at least 70 paint points.
UP NEXT: 
Pistons: Host Orlando on Saturday night.
Grizzlies: At Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night.

The Memphis Grizzlies routed the Detroit Pistons for their 7th straight win Thursday night.

Morant, Grizzlies rout lowly Pistons for 7th straight win

NEW YORK (AP) — RJ Barrett banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the New York Knicks 108-105 comeback victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.
Evan Fournier scored a career-high 41 points, and the Knicks overcame a 24-point, second-quarter deficit. The teams will finish the home-and-home set Saturday night in Boston.
Jayson Tatum scored 36 points for Boston. He tied it on a long step-back jumper with just over a second to play. The Knicks inbounded after a timeout, and Barrett banked in the long-distance shot for the victory.
“It was a tough shot, but every time I shoot I think it’s going in,” Barrett said. “Honestly, I didn’t even see it because I fell. I didn’t see it go in, but just by everyone else’s reaction I could tell. So that was cool.”
Julius Randle added 22 points for New York, Immanuel Quickley had 16, and Barrett 13. The Knicks didn't lead until there were just over two minutes left. 
Dennis Schroder added 20 points for Boston, and Jaylen Brown had 16.
“It wasn’t about the last play again. It was everything leading up to it,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said. “We need some leadership. Somebody that can calm us down and not get rattled when everything starts to go a little south. I think it snowballs between our guys.”
Robert Williams’ tip-in with 1:16 left in the first half gave the Celtics their final 24-point lead before the Knicks ended the quarter on an 8-0 run to pull to 63-47. Consecutive 3-pointers by Barrett and Fournier brought the Knicks within 10 to open the second half. 
The Celtics re-established a 20-point lead, 81-61, on Schroder’s 3-point play with 5:33 left in the third quarter. Fournier followed with back-to-back 3s, and the Knicks pulled to 82-73 on Quickley’s 3-point play with 1:44 remaining. 
Randle’s driving layup with 23 seconds left brought the Knicks to 84-77 heading into the final quarter. Boston built its lead back up to eight points, but Fournier’s long jumper tied it at 96-96 with 4:04 left. 
The Knicks took their first lead, 99-98, on Fournier's 3 with 2:06 to go. 
After Tatum’s three-point play and Mitchell Robinson’s dunk, Quickley’s floater gave the Knicks a 103-101 lead with 44 seconds remaining. 
Schroder turned the ball over on Boston’s next possession, and Barrett made one of two free throws with 18 seconds left. Marcus Smart made two free throws with 15 seconds left, and Randle made one with 12 seconds remaining. Tatum then made his jumper before Barrett ended it.
“Resilience. It was special for our team,” Randle said. “We kept battling. We obviously didn’t want to get in a hole, but we found a way to win the game.”
TIP-INS:
Celtics: Knick coach Tom Thibodeau was an assistant for the Celtics from 2007-10. … Boston has lost three straight games at Madison Square Garden. 
Knicks: Ryan Arcidiacono was signed to a 10-day contract prior to the game, but is sidelined with a sprained left ankle. 
AND THE SEASON ISN’T HALFWAY OVER
Both teams have played 39 games this season, but no one has appeared in every one. Fournier and Alec Burks have each missed only one game for New York, while Smart has played in a team-leading 36 games for Boston. Thirteen Knicks have started at least one game, while the Celtics have had 11 starters.

RJ Barrett banked in a three-pointer at the buzzer and the New York Knicks beat the Boston Celtics, 108-105.

RJ Barrett banks in 3 at buzzer, Knicks beat Celtics 108-105

NEW YORK (AP) — RJ Barrett banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the New York Knicks 108-105 comeback victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.
Evan Fournier scored a career-high 41 points, and the Knicks overcame a 24-point, second-quarter deficit. The teams will finish the home-and-home set Saturday night in Boston.
Jayson Tatum scored 36 points for Boston. He tied it on a long step-back jumper with just over a second to play. The Knicks inbounded after a timeout, and Barrett banked in the long-distance shot for the victory.
Julius Randle added 22 points for New York, Immanuel Quickley had 16, and Barrett 13. The Knicks didn't lead until there were just over two minutes left. 
Dennis Schroder added 20 points for Boston, and Jaylen Brown had 16.
Robert Williams’ tip-in with 1:16 left in the first half gave the Celtics their final 24-point lead before the Knicks ended the quarter on an 8-0 run to pull to 63-47. Consecutive 3-pointers by Barrett and Fournier brought the Knicks within 10 to open the second half. 
The Celtics re-established a 20-point lead, 81-61, on Schroder’s 3-point play with 5:33 left in the third quarter. Fournier followed with back-to-back 3s, and the Knicks pulled to 82-73 on Quickley’s 3-point play with 1:44 remaining. 
Randle’s driving layup with 23 seconds left brought the Knicks to 84-77 heading into the final quarter. Boston built its lead back up to eight points, but Fournier’s long jumper tied it at 96-96 with 4:04 left. 
The Knicks took their first lead, 99-98, on Fournier's 3 with 2:06 to go. 
After Tatum’s three-point play and Mitchell Robinson’s dunk, Quickley’s floater gave the Knicks a 103-101 lead with 44 seconds remaining. 
Schroder turned the ball over on Boston’s next possession, and Barrett made one of two free throws with 18 seconds left. Marcus Smart made two free throws with 15 seconds left, and Randle made one with 12 seconds remaining. Tatum then made his jumper before Barrett ended it.
TIP-INS:
Celtics: Knick coach Tom Thibodeau was an assistant for the Celtics from 2007-10. … Boston has lost three straight games at Madison Square Garden. 
Knicks: Ryan Arcidiacono was signed to a 10-day contract prior to the game, but is sidelined with a sprained left ankle. 
AND THE SEASON ISN’T HALFWAY OVER
Both teams have played 39 games this season, but no one has appeared in every one. Fournier and Alec Burks have each missed only one game for New York, while Smart has played in a team-leading 36 games for Boston. Thirteen Knicks have started at least one game, while the Celtics have had 11 starters. 
UP NEXT
Celtics: Host New York on Saturday. 
Knicks: New York visits Boston on Saturday.

NEW YORK (AP) &mdash; RJ Barrett banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the New York Knicks a 108-105 comeback victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.
Evan Fournier scored a career-high 41 points, and the Knicks overcame a 24-point, second-quarter deficit. The teams will finish the home-and-home set Saturday night in Boston.
Jayson Tatum scored 36 points for Boston. He tied it on a long step-back jumper with just over a second to play. The Knicks inbounded after a timeout, and Barrett banked in the long-distance shot for the victory.
Julius Randle added 22 points for New York, Immanuel Quickley had 16, and Barrett 13. The Knicks didn't lead until there were just over two minutes left.
Dennis Schroder added 20 points for Boston, and Jaylen Brown had 16.
Robert Williams&rsquo; tip-in with 1:16 left in the first half gave the Celtics their final 24-point lead before the Knicks ended the quarter on an 8-0 run to pull to 63-47. Consecutive 3-pointers by Barrett and Fournier brought the Knicks within 10 to open the second half.
The Celtics re-established a 20-point lead, 81-61, on Schroder&rsquo;s 3-point play with 5:33 left in the third quarter. Fournier followed with back-to-back 3s, and the Knicks pulled to 82-73 on Quickley&rsquo;s 3-point play with 1:44 remaining.
Randle&rsquo;s driving layup with 23 seconds left brought the Knicks to 84-77 heading into the final quarter. Boston built its lead back up to eight points, but Fournier&rsquo;s long jumper tied it at 96-96 with 4:04 left.
The Knicks took their first lead, 99-98, on Fournier's 3 with 2:06 to go.
After Tatum&rsquo;s three-point play and Mitchell Robinson&rsquo;s dunk, Quickley&rsquo;s floater gave the Knicks a 103-101 lead with 44 seconds remaining.
Schroder turned the ball over on Boston&rsquo;s next possession, and Barrett made one of two free throws with 18 seconds left. Marcus Smart made two free throws with 15 seconds left, and Randle made one with 12 seconds remaining. Tatum then made his jumper before Barrett ended it.
TIP-INS:
Celtics: Knick coach Tom Thibodeau was an assistant for the Celtics from 2007-10. &hellip; Boston has lost three straight games at Madison Square Garden.
Knicks: Ryan Arcidiacono was signed to a 10-day contract prior to the game, but is sidelined with a sprained left ankle.
AND THE SEASON ISN&rsquo;T HALFWAY OVER
Both teams have played 39 games this season, but no one has appeared in every one. Fournier and Alec Burks have each missed only one game for New York, while Smart has played in a team-leading 36 games for Boston. Thirteen Knicks have started at least one game, while the Celtics have had 11 starters.
UP NEXT
Celtics: Host New York on Saturday.
Knicks: New York visits Boston on Saturday.

NEW YORK (AP) &mdash; RJ Barrett banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the New York Knicks a 108-105 comeback victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.
Evan Fournier scored a career-high 41 points, and the Knicks overcame a 24-point, second-quarter deficit. The teams will finish the home-and-home set Saturday night in Boston.
Jayson Tatum scored 36 points for Boston. He tied it on a long step-back jumper with just over a second to play. The Knicks inbounded after a timeout, and Barrett banked in the long-distance shot for the victory.
Julius Randle added 22 points for New York, Immanuel Quickley had 16, and Barrett 13. The Knicks didn't lead until there were just over two minutes left.
Dennis Schroder added 20 points for Boston, and Jaylen Brown had 16.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Robert Williams&rsquo; tip-in with 1:16 left in the first half gave the Celtics their final 24-point lead before the Knicks ended the quarter on an 8-0 run to pull to 63-47. Consecutive 3-pointers by Barrett and Fournier brought the Knicks within 10 to open the second half.
The Celtics re-established a 20-point lead, 81-61, on Schroder&rsquo;s 3-point play with 5:33 left in the third quarter. Fournier followed with back-to-back 3s, and the Knicks pulled to 82-73 on Quickley&rsquo;s 3-point play with 1:44 remaining.
Randle&rsquo;s driving layup with 23 seconds left brought the Knicks to 84-77 heading into the final quarter. Boston built its lead back up to eight points, but Fournier&rsquo;s long jumper tied it at 96-96 with 4:04 left.
The Knicks took their first lead, 99-98, on Fournier's 3 with 2:06 to go.
After Tatum&rsquo;s three-point play and Mitchell Robinson&rsquo;s dunk, Quickley&rsquo;s floater gave the Knicks a 103-101 lead with 44 seconds remaining.
Schroder turned the ball over on Boston&rsquo;s next possession, and Barrett made one of two free throws with 18 seconds left. Marcus Smart made two free throws with 15 seconds left, and Randle made one with 12 seconds remaining. Tatum then made his jumper before Barrett ended it.
TIP-INS:
Celtics: Knick coach Tom Thibodeau was an assistant for the Celtics from 2007-10. &hellip; Boston has lost three straight games at Madison Square Garden.
Knicks: Ryan Arcidiacono was signed to a 10-day contract prior to the game, but is sidelined with a sprained left ankle.
AND THE SEASON ISN&rsquo;T HALFWAY OVER
Both teams have played 39 games this season, but no one has appeared in every one. Fournier and Alec Burks have each missed only one game for New York, while Smart has played in a team-leading 36 games for Boston. Thirteen Knicks have started at least one game, while the Celtics have had 11 starters.
UP NEXT
Celtics: Host New York on Saturday.
Knicks: New York visits Boston on Saturday.

NEW YORK (AP) &mdash; RJ Barrett banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the New York Knicks a 108-105 comeback victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.
Evan Fournier scored a career-high 41 points, and the Knicks overcame a 24-point, second-quarter deficit. The teams will finish the home-and-home set Saturday night in Boston.
Jayson Tatum scored 36 points for Boston. He tied it on a long step-back jumper with just over a second to play. The Knicks inbounded after a timeout, and Barrett banked in the long-distance shot for the victory.
Julius Randle added 22 points for New York, Immanuel Quickley had 16, and Barrett 13. The Knicks didn't lead until there were just over two minutes left.
Dennis Schroder added 20 points for Boston, and Jaylen Brown had 16.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Robert Williams&rsquo; tip-in with 1:16 left in the first half gave the Celtics their final 24-point lead before the Knicks ended the quarter on an 8-0 run to pull to 63-47. Consecutive 3-pointers by Barrett and Fournier brought the Knicks within 10 to open the second half.
The Celtics re-established a 20-point lead, 81-61, on Schroder&rsquo;s 3-point play with 5:33 left in the third quarter. Fournier followed with back-to-back 3s, and the Knicks pulled to 82-73 on Quickley&rsquo;s 3-point play with 1:44 remaining.
Randle&rsquo;s driving layup with 23 seconds left brought the Knicks to 84-77 heading into the final quarter. Boston built its lead back up to eight points, but Fournier&rsquo;s long jumper tied it at 96-96 with 4:04 left.
The Knicks took their first lead, 99-98, on Fournier's 3 with 2:06 to go.
After Tatum&rsquo;s three-point play and Mitchell Robinson&rsquo;s dunk, Quickley&rsquo;s floater gave the Knicks a 103-101 lead with 44 seconds remaining.
Schroder turned the ball over on Boston&rsquo;s next possession, and Barrett made one of two free throws with 18 seconds left. Marcus Smart made two free throws with 15 seconds left, and Randle made one with 12 seconds remaining. Tatum then made his jumper before Barrett ended it.
TIP-INS:
Celtics: Knick coach Tom Thibodeau was an assistant for the Celtics from 2007-10. &hellip; Boston has lost three straight games at Madison Square Garden.
Knicks: Ryan Arcidiacono was signed to a 10-day contract prior to the game, but is sidelined with a sprained left ankle.
AND THE SEASON ISN&rsquo;T HALFWAY OVER
Both teams have played 39 games this season, but no one has appeared in every one. Fournier and Alec Burks have each missed only one game for New York, while Smart has played in a team-leading 36 games for Boston. Thirteen Knicks have started at least one game, while the Celtics have had 11 starters.
UP NEXT
Celtics: Host New York on Saturday.
Knicks: New York visits Boston on Saturday.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>

RJ Barrett banked in a buzzer-beating 3 to give New York a 108-105 comeback win over Boston, while Evan Fournier scored a career-high.

RJ Barrett banks in winning 3 at buzzer for Knicks, Fournier scores 41

DALLAS (AP) — Dirk Nowitzki wiped a tear as his No. 41 rose slowly above the court not far from the podium where the franchise icon for the Dallas Mavericks had held it together through a 20-minute speech until it was time to thank the fans.
“I almost made it through without getting emotional,” Nowitzki said moments before the banner-raising finale of the ceremony to retire his number after his old team's 99-82 victory over Golden State on Wednesday night. “But you guys get me every time.”
The concourse of Dirk Nowitzki's old home arena displayed memorabilia that fans lined up to see, and waited in some cases even longer to buy his jersey. They chanted “MVP! MVP!” just about every time they saw him, live or on the video boards above the court, all night.
The Mavericks were honoring Nowitzki nearly three years after he announced his retirement on the court at the American Airlines Center after the final home game of the 2018-19 season. He played one more game at San Antonio.
The 43-year-old Nowitzki played a record 21 seasons with the same franchise, beating the late Kobe Bryant's previous mark of 20 with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The highest-scoring foreign-born player in NBA history led the Mavericks to their only championship in 2011 and their only other NBA Finals appearance five years before that. The big German changed the game as the best 7-foot shooter from 3-point range.
Eight players from that title team, including current Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, attended the ceremony. Kidd spoke along with Commissioner Adam Silver and owner Mark Cuban, the one-time season-ticket holder who Nowitzki remembered from his first two seasons before Cuban bought the team in 2000.
“I've got one question,” Kidd said, setting up a nod to the COVID-19 circumstances that are leading to 10-day contracts all over the NBA as fill-ins for players sidelined by health and safety protocols. “We’re giving out 10 days. You want to come back?”
Nowitzki leaned in to his wife, Jessica, their three kids standing with them, as the banner was raised with his number, name and the years he played (1998-2019) as sparklers sprayed toward the court.
Cuban and Nowitzki's heir apparent, 22-year-old European star Luka Doncic, wore T-shirts with a picture of the baby-faced Nowitzki from his introductory news conference after getting drafted going on 24 years ago.
That was after Doncic had scored 26 points to lead the Mavericks over Stephen Curry and the Warriors, who went into the game with the NBA's best record and are now tied at 29-8 with Phoenix.
“A night you’ll never forget,” Doncic said. “The Warriors are one of the best teams in the world right now and we did an amazing job. And after that was even more special. To be there in the front row to see that, it was special.”
The accolades aren't quite finished for Nowitzki, who helps the club as a consultant and has part of a street near the arena named after him. Nowitzki said during a news conference a day before the jersey retirement that he had just spent time in Chicago with the artist commissioned for a statue that will stand outside the facility.
Cuban unveiled a miniature preview of that statue, which will commemorate Nowitzki's signature one-legged fadeaway jumper. There are already silhouettes of the shot on each end of Dallas' home court.
“This is because of who you are, what you’ve done and we always want to recognize greatness,” Cuban said.
Nowitzki is sixth on the career scoring list with 31,560 points, and the 14-time All-Star also leads the Mavericks in career 3s, rebounds and blocks. 
The 2007 NBA MVP and 2011 Finals MVP is the fourth Dallas player to have his number retired after Brad Davis, Rolando Blackman and Derek Harper.
Holger Geschwindner, who discovered Nowitzki in Wurzburg, Germany, and mentored him throughout his career, sat next to Nowitzki's family, not far from Silver on one side of the lectern. Part of the Dallas symphony was on the other side. 
“You're somebody who's been a pioneer for international players,” Silver said. “So many players on the court tonight grew up watching you. International players used to be something different in this league.”
___
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Dirk Nowitzki wiped a tear as his No. 41 rose slowly above the court not far from the podium where the franchise icon for the Dallas Mavericks had held it together through a 20-minute speech until it was time to thank the fans.
&ldquo;I almost made it through without getting emotional,&rdquo; Nowitzki said moments before the banner-raising finale of the ceremony to retire his number after his old team's 99-82 victory over Golden State on Wednesday night. &ldquo;But you guys get me every time.&rdquo;
The concourse of Dirk Nowitzki's old home arena displayed memorabilia that fans lined up to see, and waited in some cases even longer to buy his jersey. They chanted &ldquo;MVP! MVP!&rdquo; just about every time they saw him, live or on the video boards above the court, all night.
The Mavericks were honoring Nowitzki nearly three years after he announced his retirement on the court at the American Airlines Center after the final home game of the 2018-19 season. He played one more game at San Antonio.
The 43-year-old Nowitzki played a record 21 seasons with the same franchise, beating the late Kobe Bryant's previous mark of 20 with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The highest-scoring foreign-born player in NBA history led the Mavericks to their only championship in 2011 and their only other NBA Finals appearance five years before that. The big German changed the game as the best 7-foot shooter from 3-point range.
Eight players from that title team, including current Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, attended the ceremony. Kidd spoke along with Commissioner Adam Silver and owner Mark Cuban, the one-time season-ticket holder who Nowitzki remembered from his first two seasons before Cuban bought the team in 2000.
&ldquo;I've got one question,&rdquo; Kidd said, setting up a nod to the COVID-19 circumstances that are leading to 10-day contracts all over the NBA as fill-ins for players sidelined by health and safety protocols. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re giving out 10 days. You want to come back?&rdquo;
Nowitzki leaned in to his wife, Jessica, their three kids standing with them, as the banner was raised with his number, name and the years he played (1998-2019) as sparklers sprayed toward the court.
Cuban and Nowitzki's heir apparent, 22-year-old European star Luka Doncic, wore T-shirts with a picture of the baby-faced Nowitzki from his introductory news conference after getting drafted going on 24 years ago.
That was after Doncic had scored 26 points to lead the Mavericks over Stephen Curry and the Warriors, who went into the game with the NBA's best record and are now tied at 29-8 with Phoenix.
&ldquo;A night you&rsquo;ll never forget,&rdquo; Doncic said. &ldquo;The Warriors are one of the best teams in the world right now and we did an amazing job. And after that was even more special. To be there in the front row to see that, it was special.&rdquo;
The accolades aren't quite finished for Nowitzki, who helps the club as a consultant and has part of a street near the arena named after him. Nowitzki said during a news conference a day before the jersey retirement that he had just spent time in Chicago with the artist commissioned for a statue that will stand outside the facility.
Cuban unveiled a miniature preview of that statue, which will commemorate Nowitzki's signature one-legged fadeaway jumper. There are already silhouettes of the shot on each end of Dallas' home court.
&ldquo;This is because of who you are, what you&rsquo;ve done and we always want to recognize greatness,&rdquo; Cuban said.
Nowitzki is sixth on the career scoring list with 31,560 points, and the 14-time All-Star also leads the Mavericks in career 3s, rebounds and blocks.
The 2007 NBA MVP and 2011 Finals MVP is the fourth Dallas player to have his number retired after Brad Davis, Rolando Blackman and Derek Harper.
Holger Geschwindner, who discovered Nowitzki in Wurzburg, Germany, and mentored him throughout his career, sat next to Nowitzki's family, not far from Silver on one side of the lectern. Part of the Dallas symphony was on the other side.
&ldquo;You're somebody who's been a pioneer for international players,&rdquo; Silver said. &ldquo;So many players on the court tonight grew up watching you. International players used to be something different in this league.&rdquo;
___
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Dirk Nowitzki wiped a tear as his No. 41 rose slowly above the court not far from the podium where the franchise icon for the Dallas Mavericks had held it together through a 20-minute speech until it was time to thank the fans.
&ldquo;I almost made it through without getting emotional,&rdquo; Nowitzki said moments before the banner-raising finale of the ceremony to retire his number after his old team's 99-82 victory over Golden State on Wednesday night. &ldquo;But you guys get me every time.&rdquo;
The concourse of Dirk Nowitzki's old home arena displayed memorabilia that fans lined up to see, and waited in some cases even longer to buy his jersey. They chanted &ldquo;MVP! MVP!&rdquo; just about every time they saw him, live or on the video boards above the court, all night.
The Mavericks were honoring Nowitzki nearly three years after he announced his retirement on the court at the American Airlines Center after the final home game of the 2018-19 season. He played one more game at San Antonio.
The 43-year-old Nowitzki played a record 21 seasons with the same franchise, beating the late Kobe Bryant's previous mark of 20 with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The highest-scoring foreign-born player in NBA history led the Mavericks to their only championship in 2011 and their only other NBA Finals appearance five years before that. The big German changed the game as the best 7-foot shooter from 3-point range.
Eight players from that title team, including current Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, attended the ceremony. Kidd spoke along with Commissioner Adam Silver and owner Mark Cuban, the one-time season-ticket holder who Nowitzki remembered from his first two seasons before Cuban bought the team in 2000.
&ldquo;I've got one question,&rdquo; Kidd said, setting up a nod to the COVID-19 circumstances that are leading to 10-day contracts all over the NBA as fill-ins for players sidelined by health and safety protocols. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re giving out 10 days. You want to come back?&rdquo;
Nowitzki leaned in to his wife, Jessica, their three kids standing with them, as the banner was raised with his number, name and the years he played (1998-2019) as sparklers sprayed toward the court.
Cuban and Nowitzki's heir apparent, 22-year-old European star Luka Doncic, wore T-shirts with a picture of the baby-faced Nowitzki from his introductory news conference after getting drafted going on 24 years ago.
That was after Doncic had scored 26 points to lead the Mavericks over Stephen Curry and the Warriors, who went into the game with the NBA's best record and are now tied at 29-8 with Phoenix.
&ldquo;A night you&rsquo;ll never forget,&rdquo; Doncic said. &ldquo;The Warriors are one of the best teams in the world right now and we did an amazing job. And after that was even more special. To be there in the front row to see that, it was special.&rdquo;
The accolades aren't quite finished for Nowitzki, who helps the club as a consultant and has part of a street near the arena named after him. Nowitzki said during a news conference a day before the jersey retirement that he had just spent time in Chicago with the artist commissioned for a statue that will stand outside the facility.
Cuban unveiled a miniature preview of that statue, which will commemorate Nowitzki's signature one-legged fadeaway jumper. There are already silhouettes of the shot on each end of Dallas' home court.
&ldquo;This is because of who you are, what you&rsquo;ve done and we always want to recognize greatness,&rdquo; Cuban said.
Nowitzki is sixth on the career scoring list with 31,560 points, and the 14-time All-Star also leads the Mavericks in career 3s, rebounds and blocks.
The 2007 NBA MVP and 2011 Finals MVP is the fourth Dallas player to have his number retired after Brad Davis, Rolando Blackman and Derek Harper.
Holger Geschwindner, who discovered Nowitzki in Wurzburg, Germany, and mentored him throughout his career, sat next to Nowitzki's family, not far from Silver on one side of the lectern. Part of the Dallas symphony was on the other side.
&ldquo;You're somebody who's been a pioneer for international players,&rdquo; Silver said. &ldquo;So many players on the court tonight grew up watching you. International players used to be something different in this league.&rdquo;

The Mavericks honored Nowitzki nearly three years after he announced his retirement on the court in Dallas.

Mavs retire Dirk Nowitzki's 41 after win over Warriors

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kyrie Irving scored 22 points and sparked Brooklyn to a big rally in the second half of his season debut, Kevin Durant had 39 and the Nets beat the Indiana Pacers 129-121 on Wednesday night.
Irving is ineligible to play home games because he is not vaccinated as mandated in New York City, and the Nets had decided against allowing him to just play road games for most of the season.
But they changed their mind last month and were glad they did Wednesday, when Irving helped them charge back from a 19-point deficit. The point guard played 32 minutes as Brooklyn snapped a three-game losing streak.
Domantas Sabonis had 32 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for the Pacers, who have lost in six in a row. Lance Stephenson, who had two previous stints with the Pacers, scored 30 in his first home game with the Pacers after signing a 10-day contract.
Stephenson delighted the home crowd by scoring the final 20 points for the Pacers in the first quarter as Indiana took a 37-32 lead. He hit 8 of 9 shots, 4 of 5 3-pointers in that 6-plus minute stretch.
The 20 points were a record for any Pacers player in the first quarter. It was also the most points in the opening quarter for a player coming off the bench.
The Pacers shot 62% to a grab a 73-60 lead at halftime. Irving hit a shot at the third-quarter buzzer to cut Indiana’s lead to 101-94. That capped an 8-0 run by the Nets.
Patty Mills sank a 3-pointer to put Brooklyn ahead for good at 107-106 with 7:23 left. Irving followed with two consecutive baskets to push the lead to 111-106 and Indiana never recovered.
Brooklyn shot 56% overall while Indiana finished at 49%.
TIP-INS
Nets: LaMarcus Aldridge, who has said he is still recovering his condition from his COVID-19 bout, scored 13 points in 16 minutes. He had missed the last game after returning to play two games following his COVID-19 bout. 
Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon, Chris Duarte and Jeremy Lamb have been cleared to play from health and safety protocols but held out for return to competition conditioning. … Caris LeVert, Kelan Martin, Isaiah Jackson and Goga Bitadze were sidelined by the COVID-19 protocols. … Torrey Craig was out with a right groin injury suffered in Tuesday night’s loss at New York.
UP NEXT
Nets: Host Milwaukee on Friday.
Pacers: Host Utah on Saturday.

Kyrie Irving made his season debut and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Indiana Pacers on the road.

Kyrie Irving helps Nets beat Pacers in season debut, Stephenson has 30

BOSTON (AP) — Gregg Popovich became the first to coach 2,000 NBA games with the same team, and Dejounte Murray scored 22 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs past the Boston Celtics 99-97 on Wednesday night.
Devin Vassell and Derrick White each had 17 points for the Spurs, who snapped a four-game losing streak.
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 30 points after scoring a career-high 50 in a victory over Orlando in the Celtics' last game but had a driving layup roll off the rim just before the buzzer sounded.
Murray, the team’s scoring leader, returned from COVID-19 protocols after being sidelined the last five games and played 33 minutes.
Boston’s Jayson Tatum also returned after missing four games while he was in the league’s health and safety protocols and scored 19 points on 6-of-20 shooting. Marcus Smart chipped in with 14 points and six assists.
The Spurs led 95-89 with just over three minutes left before Boston sliced it to two points.
The Celtics then had a 24-second violation and Brown was called for an offensive foul on the next possession with 1:53 to go.
The Spurs held a 99-97 edge when Smart missed a one-handed floater in the lane with about 20 seconds to play.
Brown stole an inbound pass and drove while being contested, but his shot rolled off the rim.
Popovich downplayed the achievement before the game when asked if the milestone meant anything to him.
“No, it means I’m old, been at the same place for a long time, worked with a lot of great players, blah, blah, blah,” the 72-year-old said. 
Neither team held more than a two-possession lead the entire game.
The Spurs were just 1-4 while Murray was sidelined. He clamped down on Tatum while they were matched up Wednesday.
TIP-INS
Spurs: Forward Doug McDermott, guard/forward center/forward Lonnie Walker IV and Devontae Cacok all remain in COVID protocol. ... Forward/center Zach Collins remains out, recovering from offseason left ankle surgery. ... It was their fourth stop on a seven-game road trip.
Celtics: Center Robert Williams III returned after missing the last game with a sprained right toe. ... Guard Payton Pritchard entered health and safety protocols Wednesday. 
KEY RETURN
With Murray back in the lineup, the Spurs regained their leader also in rebounding, assists and steals, but Popovich knew he had to bring him along slowly after he was sidelined for 10 days. 
“He’s been out for so long,” Popovich said. “I just want to make sure we don’t overdo it, I guess. He’s not going to play 30 minutes. It’s nice to have him back.”
VIDEO TRIBUTES
The Celtics had a video montage of Sam Jones’ highlights on the jumbotron during the first timeout. Jones, a 10-time champion with Boston, passed away on Dec. 30. He was 88. 
They also recognized the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team that captured gold in Tokyo last summer — which included Tatum and Popovich — with a video and message midway into the opening quarter, 
UP NEXT
Spurs: At Philadelphia on Friday night.
Celtics: At the Knicks on Thursday night in the first of back-to-back games against them. New York is in Boston on Saturday.
___
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Greg Popovich became the first NBA head coach to get to 2,000 wins with the same franchise.

Murray, Spurs hold off Celtics 99-97 in Popovich's 2,000th

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kevin Porter Jr. hit a 3-pointer from the right wing with 0.4 seconds left to give the Houston Rockets a 114-111 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
Porter and Christian Wood returned from one-game suspensions for conduct detrimental to the team. Wood added 22 points and 11 rebounds to help the Rockets snap an eight-game losing streak.
Jalen Green also scored 22 points and Eric Gordon had 19 for Houston.
Bradley Beal led Washington with 27 points. He fouled out with 9:10 to play on his second offensive foul. It was the three-time All Star's first disqualification since Nov. 29, 2017, and the first of his career before the final two minutes of regulation.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 26 points, and Kyle Kuzma had 24 for the Wizards. They failed in their bid for their second pair of consecutive wins since the start of December.
The Rockets started the fourth on a 7-0 spurt to push their lead to 10, and were still up seven when Beal fouled out. The rest of the Wizards responded, first tying it at 102 on Raul Neto's contested layup.
They then battled from five down inside the final minute, when Caldwell-Pope's 3-pointer closed it to two before Neto's drive resulted in a tying goaltending call.
Porter had the decisive say on the next possession when he sank a 24-footer over Neto's outstretched arm. 
A video review restored 0.4 seconds to the clock, and Kuzma's catch-and-shoot attempt was off target after Washington's timeout.
TIP-INS
Rockets: Opened the game on a 12-2 run. ... G Garrison Matthews drew a charge from Kuzma with 2:13 left in the first quarter, Corey Kispert with 11 to play in the second, and Beal with 4:50 left in the half.
Wizards: Neto played for the first time since Dec. 23 in his return from health and safety protocols. ... Coach Wes Unseld Jr. said C Thomas Bryant (left knee) is getting closer to his return. “He should be available the next week or two, that would be ideal,” he said. ... G Spencer Dinwiddie, G Aaron Holiday and F Rui Hachimura have cleared health and safety protocols, but remained out as they regain their conditioning.
CULTURE CHECK?
Silas disputed the idea that Saturday's incidents in a home game against Denver, resulting in suspensions for Wood and Porter, were indicative of poor team culture.
“Nobody ever said anything about our culture until two games ago,” Silas said. “And I think sometimes people overreact when stuff happens.”
UP NEXT
Rockets: Host Dallas on Friday night.
Wizards: At Chicago on Friday night.
___
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Rockets' Kevin Porter Jr. hit a three pointer with .4 seconds left to lead Houston over Washington.

Porter hits 3 with 0.4 left, Rockets beat Wizards 114-111

NEW YORK (AP) — RJ Barrett scored 24 of his 32 points in the first half, Julius Randle had 30 points and 16 rebounds in his first game after coming off the COVID-19 health and safety protocols list, and the New York Knicks beat the Indiana Pacers 104-94 on Tuesday night.
Alec Burks added 14 points for New York (18-20), which snapped a two-game losing streak. Immanuel Quickley chipped in with 11.
“With both guys the most important thing is them attacking the rim,” New York coach Tom Thibodeau said about Barrett and Randle. “The aggressiveness of RJ attacking the rim, and for Julius to do what he did today is just remarkable. 
“We had no idea what he was going to be like. So, unbelievable effort. Unbelievable game. Sixteen rebounds. Just all the things that he did.”
Kiefer Skyes scored 22 points in the Pacers' fifth straight loss. Duane Washington Jr. added 17. Domantas Sabonis and Torrey Craig each contributed 15.
“I'm not just here to survive,” said Sykes, who signed with the Pacers as a free agent on Dec. 27. “I'm here to thrive. I want to be in the NBA for a long time. So I'm going to continue to work and have that mindset and outwork everybody.” 
The New York-Indiana rivalry in the mid-to-late 1990s was among the NBA’s must-see matchups. This game was far from it, with a decimated Pacers squad taking on a Knicks team nearly back at full strength. 
Malcolm Brogdon, Chris Duarte, Isaiah Jackson, Jeremy Lamb, Caris LeVert, Goga Bitadze, Kelan Martin and T.J. Warren all missed the game for Indiana as they were in health and safety protocols. T.J. McConnell did not play as he is recovering from right wrist ligament surgery. By comparison, New York was aided by the returns of Randle, Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims from protocols. 
It was tied at 55 at halftime, even with Barrett's huge first half. The Pacers, who trailed by 12 early in the second quarter, finished the final seven minutes of the period with an 18-8 run.
“Just trying to be aggressive,” Barrett said of his approach early in the game. “That's really it. When you get into the paint, you make reads: You (have) to finish or kick out. It puts pressure on the defense.” 
Randle took over in the third, scoring 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting, including 2 for 2 from 3. New York led 84-77 after three and Barrett, Randle and Burks took turns knocking down big shots in the fourth. 
“He makes us different. That's his gift. He can play with speed. He can play with power. He can make decisions," Thibodeau said of Randle. “It does make us different, yeah.”
TIP-INS
Pacers: Rick Carlisle will be coaching Indiana at home on Wednesday while his one-time team, the Dallas Mavericks, will retire Dirk Nowitzki's number before their nationally televised game against the Golden State Warriors. “I’m really disappointed that I’m unable to attend that (ceremony),” Carlisle said. Carlisle coached the Mavericks from 2009-21. “It’s (going) to be so special. … Dirk just means so much to so many of us and he proved to be a great champion as well. It’ll be very emotional.“
Knicks: Thibodeau disagreed that an upcoming stretch of eight games out of 10 at Madison Square Garden could benefit his squad. “We can’t look ahead,” Thibodeau said before the game. “We’re not going to win just because we’re home. That’s not how you win. We’ve got to come in and put the work into it.”
UP NEXT:
Pacers: Host Brooklyn on Wednesday night.
Knicks: Begin a home-and-home series against Boston on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
___
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RJ Barrett and Julius Randle led the New York Knicks to a win over the Indiana Pacers.

Barrett has 32, Randle has big return as Knicks beat Pacers

TORONTO (AP) — Fred VanVleet scored 33 points, Pascal Siakam had 18 points and 12 rebounds, and the Toronto Raptors extended their winning streak to three by beating the San Antonio Spurs 129-104 on Tuesday night.
Gary Trent Jr. scored 21 points as the Raptors evened their record at 17-17, reaching the .500 mark for the first time since they were 7-7 after a Nov. 13 home loss to Detroit.
The Raptors have won eight of their past 10 at home.
Toronto’s OG Anunoby scored 14 points and rookie Scottie Barnes had 11 points and a career-best eight assists. Justin Champagnie scored a career-high 14 for the Raptors, who matched their season-high point total.
VanVleet topped 30 points for the third straight game and fourth time in his past five. He’s the first Raptors player to score 30 or more in three straight games since Kawhi Leonard did it in four straight from Jan. 13-27, 2019.
“You recognize when you’re in rhythm and you just try to hold on as long as possible, because it’s not always like that,” VanVleet said. “I try to keep my floor a little higher but when you’re hot, you’ve just got to be aggressive and ride it out as long as you can.”
VanVleet shot 12 for 23 and matched his season highs with seven made 3-pointers and 14 attempts from distance. He also had seven assists.
Raptors coach Nick Nurse said VanVleet’s recent string of solid performances have burnished his All-Star credentials, but acknowledged that more Toronto wins would help strengthen the guard’s case.
“I think he’s got to be in the conversation,” Nurse said. “We’ve got to climb the standings some. I just think that’s part of it. If we do, then he certainly will deserve it.”
Toronto set a season high with 30 assists and shot 18 for 44 from outside the arc, matching its season best for made 3-pointers.
Former Raptors center Jakob Poeltl scored 19 points and Devin Vassell and rookie Josh Primo each had 15 as the slumping Spurs lost their fourth straight. Joe Wieskamp scored 13 points and Derrick White had 12 for San Antonio.
“I thought Jakob was great tonight,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “I was really glad to see Jakob be as assertive as he was on offense. With two G-League guys, Josh and Joe, I thought they were fantastic. Devin was fairly solid but we didn’t get much from anybody else.”
Toronto led 30-29 after one, and extended its lead with a 14-1 run in the second. The Raptors shot 7 for 14 from 3-point range in the second quarter and led 68-53 at halftime.
Toronto took a 97-81 lead to the fourth.
SIX PACK
VanVleet has scored 30 or more six times this season, matching the number of times he did so in 52 games last season.
HOME ‘CROWD’
For the third straight game, only family and friends of the players were allowed inside the arena. Toronto native Primo had expected to have a group of “hundreds” on hand for his first professional game in Canada, but had to reduce that to about 20 people.
“It’s great being able to come out here and be in my hometown, play in front of some family and friends,” Primo said. “Playing in this arena brings back memories of coming into the Air Canada Centre at the time, watching games and wanting to be on that stage. Now being here, it’s a moment I’m just grateful to have.”
BACK IN ACTION
F Keita Bates-Diop came off the bench for the Spurs after missing Saturday’s overtime loss at Detroit because of a sore right hamstring. He scored seven points in 16 minutes.
TIP-INS
Spurs: F Devontae Cacok, F Doug McDermott, and G Lonnie Walker IV were all unavailable (health and safety protocols) while G Dejounte Murray (conditioning) did not play. … Matched a season high with 20 turnovers.
Raptors: F Svi Mykhailiuk and F Yuta Watanabe entered the health and safety protocols. … F Isaac Bonga returned after missing the previous four games. Bonga was in the health and safety protocols for three games, then sat out Sunday for conditioning. … Toronto also scored 129 points and made 18 3-pointers in an overtime loss at Brooklyn on Dec. 14.
UP NEXT
Spurs: Visit Boston on Wednesday.
Raptors: Visit Milwaukee on Wednesday.
___
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Fred VanVleet scored 33 points and the Toronto Raptors beat the San Antonio Spurs, 129-104.

VanVleet tops 30 for third straight game, Raptors rout Spurs

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Anfernee Simons had a career-high 43 points and the Portland Trail Blazers overcame an NBA season-best 56 points by Atlanta's Trae Young, snapping a four-game losing streak in a 136-131 win over the Hawks on Monday night.
Young shot 17 for 26 from the field, 7 for 12 from 3-point distance and 15 for 15 from the line for his career-high scoring total, and added 14 assists. His 56-point game eclipsed Kevin Durant's 51-point performance for the Nets at Detroit on Dec. 12. Golden State's Stephen Curry and Boston's Jaylen Brown have had 50-point games this season.
Young became the first player with 50-plus points and 14-plus assists in a game since James Harden with the Houston Rockets on Dec. 31, 2016. 
Simons had a career-high nine 3-pointers, the most for a Portland player this season. After missing Portland's last game, Simons started in place of All-Star Damian Lillard, who was out because of injury management. 
Portland trailed at the start of the final quarter, but took a 112-107 lead after Ben McLemore's layup and Nassir Little's 3-pointer with 7:43 left. Simons' floater extended the lead to 118-111, but the persistent Hawks kept it close down the stretch. 
Young came down hard on the court after an attempted layup with less than a minute left, but recovered to make a pair of free throws that closed the gap to 127-125. 
Jusuf Nukic made a layup and added a free throw to make it 130-125 and Portland held on for the win. 
Atlanta coach Nate McMillan entered the league's health and safety protocol on Saturday. But six Hawks players were available to return from protocols for the game against the Blazers, including Sharife Cooper, Danilo Gallinari, Kevin Huerter, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Onyeka Okongwu and Delon Wright. 
Five Hawks, including Bogdan Bogdanovic, remain in the protocol. At one point, Atlanta was without a league-high 12 players. 
Joe Prunty took over in McMillan's absence. The Hawks were coming off a 121-118 win in Cleveland on Friday that snapped a three-game losing streak. 
The Blazers were without Lillard because of abdominal tendinopathy, which has bothered him since the Olympics. The team was also still missing backcourt teammate CJ McCollum because of a collapsed lung. 
But Nurkic, the starting center, returned from the protocols for the game against the Hawks, <a href="https://twitter.com/bosnianbeast27/status/1478141321630023683">announcing his availability personally via Twitter. </a> He finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds. 
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups also was back on the sideline after missing three games. 
Portland jumped out to a 18-7 lead midway through the opening quarter. Atlanta perked up after its sluggish start, taking a 37-36 lead on Delon Wright's 3-pointer. 
The Blazers reclaimed the lead and went up 58-46 on Nassir Little's 3-pointer. Portland led 70-65 at the break. 
Young had 29 points and nine assists in the first half. He has scored 29 or more points in 16 straight games to tie Dominique Wilkins’ team record, set between December 1985 and January 1986. 
The Hawks took a 91-90 lead on Huerter's layup and held on for a 105-100 lead going into the final quarter. 
TIP INS
Hawks: Atlanta is in the midst of a season-long six-game road trip. ... Young's streak of games with 25 or more points is the longest in the NBA this season. ... Young is the first NBA player to reach 29 points and nine assists in the first half of a game this season. 
Trail Blazers: Portland's Dec. 23 game against the Brooklyn Nets that was postponed has been rescheduled for Jan. 10 at the Moda Center. 
UP NEXT
Hawks: Visit the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. 
Trail Blazers: Host the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. 
___

Trae Young scored 56 points, but the Atlanta Hawks fell to the Portland Trail Blazers, 131-136.

Trae Young scores NBA season-best 56 points, Hawks fall to Blazers

NEW YORK (AP) — Ja Morant scored 36 points and five Grizzlies scored in double figures as Memphis extended its winning streak to five games with a 118-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.
Desmond Bane scored 29 points, Brandon Clarke added 16, and Jarrett Culver and Tyus Jones had 12 apiece.
Kevin Durant led the Nets with 26 points on 8-for-24 shooting from the field, including 2 for 8 from 3-point range. James Harden added 19 points in 5-for-14 shooting. Nic Claxton added 11 points and Blake Griffin and Bruce Brown each finished with 10 points as Brooklyn lost its third straight.
Morant scored 18 points in the third period and had a spectacular tomahawk dunk that drew a gasp from the Barclay Center crowd of more 17,000, which included NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown, whose career is on hold after leaving the field and his Tampa Bay teammates in the Buccaneers’ win over the Jets on Sunday.
The first of two regular-season matchups between the leaders in the Atlantic and Southwest divisions concerned Brooklyn coach Steve Nash. Nash, in his pregame comments, pointed to the Grizzlies’ ability to offensive rebound and force turnovers, parts of the game in which the Nets have struggled.
Memphis scored 14 points off nine Brooklyn turnovers in the opening quarters and led 56-47 at halftime. The Grizzlies also grabbed 13 offensive rebounds, which helped them score 18 second-chance points.
Memphis built its lead to as many as 25 points in the third quarter by continuously attacking the paint, led by Morant’s acrobatic drives.
The Grizzlies extended their lead to 28 points in the fourth quarter. With Durant and Harden on the bench, Brooklyn’s reserves cut the deficit to 10 points, but got no closer. 
Brown scored seven of his 10 points in the period, and Jevon Carter (six), Day’Ron Sharpe (six), and Cam Thomas (eight) scored all of their points during the ill-fated comeback attempt.
TIP-INS:
Grizzlies: The NBA announced before the game that Morant was named the player of the week in the Western Conference. The second overall pick in the 2019 draft averaged 34.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 34 minutes in three games — all wins — over the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs. Morant, who was awarded player of the week for the first time in his career, is averaging 24.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.48 steals in 32.4 minutes, and has started every game this season for Memphis.
Nets: The Nets have had their season upended by the pandemic. Brooklyn, which had 10 players in COVID-19 protocol as far back as Dec. 17, announced prior to the game that the NBA rescheduled five of its games. The Nets will host San Antonio at noon on Jan. 9, before flying to Portland to play the Trail Blazers the next night. Brooklyn’s game against Denver, initially scheduled for Dec. 19, was moved to Jan. 26. That forced the league to move the previously scheduled matchup against the Toronto Raptors to Feb. 28. Finally, the league shifted the Dec. 21 game against Washington to Feb. 17. … The Nets were short-handed as starting center LaMarcus Aldridge missed the game with a sore right foot.
UP NEXT:
Grizzlies: Visit Cleveland on Tuesday night.
Nets: Visit Indiana on Wednesday night.
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MORE AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Ja Morant scored 36 points, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Brooklyn Nets on the road.