SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Kevin Huerter hit a 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds left and the Sacramento Kings held off Utah 126-125 on Friday night when Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen missed a jumper in the final seconds.
“You can mistake some of these regular-season games for playoffs just with the energy they bring," Kings coach Mike Brown said after the game.
Huerter scored a career-high 30 points to help Sacramento improve to 19-15, with Brown returning after missing the past two games because of COVID-19. Domantas Sabonis had 28 points on 12-for-12 shooting along with 11 rebounds and eight assists, and De’Aaron Fox had 24 points and 10 assists.
“I feel like he’s been doing that all year," Sabonis said about Fox. "That’s what he does. He’s been clutch for us all year. He can get any shot that he wants, and he’s been making the right read every time.” 
Markkanen scored 36 points for Utah (19-19). Jordan Clarkson had 25 points and nine assists, and Mike Conley scored 17 points.
“He's a matchup nightmare,” Kelly Olynyk said about Markkanen. “He's shooting the ball unbelievably the whole season really ... He's tough to guard. You can't take away one thing.”
The Jazz took their first lead of the game at 94-91 with 10:13 left in the fourth quarter on a 3 by Conley. There were 12 lead changes.
“Tough finish,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “Our guys hung in all game and battled. …to be able to come back late and take the lead, showed a lot of resolve from our group.”
TIP-INS
Jazz: The Jazz dropped to .500 for the first time this season. … Utah is 7-14 on the road.
Kings: KZ Okpala received a flagrant foul after kneeing Walker Kessler in the stomach on a drive to the basket in the first half. ...Fox scored 10 points or more in the 4th quarter for the fourth straight game.
UP NEXT
Jazz: Host Miami on Saturday night
Kings: At Memphis on Sunday night.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) &mdash; Kevin Huerter hit a 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds left and the Sacramento Kings held off Utah 126-125 on Friday night when Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen missed a jumper in the final seconds.
&ldquo;You can mistake some of these regular-season games for playoffs just with the energy they bring," Kings coach Mike Brown said after the game.
Huerter scored a career-high 30 points to help Sacramento improve to 19-15, with Brown returning after missing the past two games because of COVID-19. Domantas Sabonis had 28 points on 12-for-12 shooting along with 11 rebounds and eight assists, and De&rsquo;Aaron Fox had 24 points and 10 assists.
&ldquo;I feel like he&rsquo;s been doing that all year," Sabonis said about Fox. "That&rsquo;s what he does. He&rsquo;s been clutch for us all year. He can get any shot that he wants, and he&rsquo;s been making the right read every time.&rdquo;
Markkanen scored 36 points for Utah (19-19). Jordan Clarkson had 25 points and nine assists, and Mike Conley scored 17 points.
&ldquo;He's a matchup nightmare,&rdquo; Kelly Olynyk said about Markkanen. &ldquo;He's shooting the ball unbelievably the whole season really ... He's tough to guard. You can't take away one thing.&rdquo;
The Jazz took their first lead of the game at 94-91 with 10:13 left in the fourth quarter on a 3 by Conley. There were 12 lead changes.
&ldquo;Tough finish,&rdquo; Jazz coach Will Hardy said. &ldquo;Our guys hung in all game and battled. &hellip;to be able to come back late and take the lead, showed a lot of resolve from our group.&rdquo;
TIP-INS
Jazz: The Jazz dropped to .500 for the first time this season. &hellip; Utah is 7-14 on the road.
Kings: KZ Okpala received a flagrant foul after kneeing Walker Kessler in the stomach on a drive to the basket in the first half. ...Fox scored 10 points or more in the 4th quarter for the fourth straight game.
UP NEXT
Jazz: Host Miami on Saturday night
Kings: At Memphis on Sunday night.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) &mdash; Kevin Huerter hit a 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds left and the Sacramento Kings held off Utah 126-125 on Friday night when Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen missed a jumper in the final seconds.
&ldquo;You can mistake some of these regular-season games for playoffs just with the energy they bring," Kings coach Mike Brown said after the game.
Huerter scored a career-high 30 points to help Sacramento improve to 19-15, with Brown returning after missing the past two games because of COVID-19. Domantas Sabonis had 28 points on 12-for-12 shooting along with 11 rebounds and eight assists, and De&rsquo;Aaron Fox had 24 points and 10 assists.
&ldquo;I feel like he&rsquo;s been doing that all year," Sabonis said about Fox. "That&rsquo;s what he does. He&rsquo;s been clutch for us all year. He can get any shot that he wants, and he&rsquo;s been making the right read every time.&rdquo;
Markkanen scored 36 points for Utah (19-19). Jordan Clarkson had 25 points and nine assists, and Mike Conley scored 17 points.
&ldquo;He's a matchup nightmare,&rdquo; Kelly Olynyk said about Markkanen. &ldquo;He's shooting the ball unbelievably the whole season really ... He's tough to guard. You can't take away one thing.&rdquo;
The Jazz took their first lead of the game at 94-91 with 10:13 left in the fourth quarter on a 3 by Conley. There were 12 lead changes.
&ldquo;Tough finish,&rdquo; Jazz coach Will Hardy said. &ldquo;Our guys hung in all game and battled. &hellip;to be able to come back late and take the lead, showed a lot of resolve from our group.&rdquo;
TIP-INS
Jazz: The Jazz dropped to .500 for the first time this season. &hellip; Utah is 7-14 on the road.
Kings: KZ Okpala received a flagrant foul after kneeing Walker Kessler in the stomach on a drive to the basket in the first half. ...Fox scored 10 points or more in the 4th quarter for the fourth straight game.
&nbsp;

Kevin Huerter hit a 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds left and the Sacramento Kings held off the Utah Jazz 126-125.

Kevin Huerter hits late 3-pointer, Kings beat Jazz 126-125

DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray struggled to find his range or rhythm for most of the game. 
Then, crunch time hit. Like that, he was locked in.
Murray scored seven of his 14 points over the final two minutes, Nikola Jokic had his eighth triple-double of the season and the Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Miami Heat 124-119 on Friday night.
“To come back and get a win against that team is definitely a great win,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. 
Jokic finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. The two-time reigning NBA MVP was 8 of 15 from the floor, marking his team-record 26th straight game shooting 50% or better. He has 84 career triple-doubles.
With Denver down 117-115, Murray took over as the point guard scored seven straight points— a 3-pointer, two free throws and a floating jumper — to help the Nuggets remain tied with New Orleans for the top spot in the Western Conference.
“Just proud of our guys to stick with it tonight,” Malone said. “Jamal staying with it, not dropping his head, but also our team." 
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the Nuggets with 20 points on a perfect night shooting — 7 of 7 from the floor, including 4 for 4 from 3-point range, and 2 of 2 from the free throw line. The Nuggets had eight players score in double figures to offset 20 turnovers. 
“Our communication is a big part of taking that next step and becoming a championship-caliber team,” said Caldwell-Pope, who had a flagrant foul for not giving Tyler Herro enough room to land following a shot with 2:23 remaining. “Our fourth-quarter defense and offense is great. ... But now our goal this just try to do it throughout the 48 minutes and not wait on the fourth quarter.”
Herro had 26 points and 10 rebounds for Miami. Bam Adebayo added 22 for the Heat, who began a five-game trip through the West.
Duncan Robinson connected on three long-range shots to become the franchise’s leader in 3-pointers with 807, one more than Tim Hardaway. 
“You want to do it in a win, so that’s disappointing,” Robinson said. “Just feel very fortunate to get it. ... I’ll definitely take a second to appreciate it.” 
Miami rebounded from a horrific shooting start — 4 of 22 — to keep things close until making a move to start the third quarter. The Heat took the lead early in the third on Herro's 3-pointer — and led by as many as nine — but couldn't hold on.
“We pride ourselves in being able to win games with defensive stops going down the stretch,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I can’t recall a stop in the last three or four minutes. It seems like they were scoring or being fouled on each one of those possessions.” 
TIP-INS
Heat: Herro hit all four of his free throws to run his streak to 24. It's the fourth-longest streak of his career. ... Spoelstra drew a technical foul in the third quarter for arguing. Kyle Lowry had another in the fourth quarter. ... Forward Caleb Martin was scratched because of a quad injury. 
Nuggets: Bones Hyland had five 3-pointers and 16 points. ... Aaron Gordon had 11 points. He also drew a technical foul in the second quarter.
POP QUIZ
Malone was asked if this was an important test, given Miami’s physical brand of basketball.
“Every night is a test. I mean that sincerely,” Malone said. “We know that they (the Heat) are capable of doing really big things in that Eastern Conference.”
UP NEXT
Heat: At Utah on Saturday night. 
Nuggets: Host Boston on Sunday night.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) &mdash; Jamal Murray struggled to find his range or rhythm for most of the game.
Then, crunch time hit. Like that, he was locked in.
Murray scored seven of his 14 points over the final two minutes, Nikola Jokic had his eighth triple-double of the season and the Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Miami Heat 124-119 on Friday night.
&ldquo;To come back and get a win against that team is definitely a great win,&rdquo; Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.
Jokic finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. The two-time reigning NBA MVP was 8 of 15 from the floor, marking his team-record 26th straight game shooting 50% or better. He has 84 career triple-doubles.
With Denver down 117-115, Murray took over as the point guard scored seven straight points&mdash; a 3-pointer, two free throws and a floating jumper &mdash; to help the Nuggets remain tied with New Orleans for the top spot in the Western Conference.
&ldquo;Just proud of our guys to stick with it tonight,&rdquo; Malone said. &ldquo;Jamal staying with it, not dropping his head, but also our team."
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the Nuggets with 20 points on a perfect night shooting &mdash; 7 of 7 from the floor, including 4 for 4 from 3-point range, and 2 of 2 from the free throw line. The Nuggets had eight players score in double figures to offset 20 turnovers.
&ldquo;Our communication is a big part of taking that next step and becoming a championship-caliber team,&rdquo; said Caldwell-Pope, who had a flagrant foul for not giving Tyler Herro enough room to land following a shot with 2:23 remaining. &ldquo;Our fourth-quarter defense and offense is great. ... But now our goal this just try to do it throughout the 48 minutes and not wait on the fourth quarter.&rdquo;
Herro had 26 points and 10 rebounds for Miami. Bam Adebayo added 22 for the Heat, who began a five-game trip through the West.
Duncan Robinson connected on three long-range shots to become the franchise&rsquo;s leader in 3-pointers with 807, one more than Tim Hardaway.
&ldquo;You want to do it in a win, so that&rsquo;s disappointing,&rdquo; Robinson said. &ldquo;Just feel very fortunate to get it. ... I&rsquo;ll definitely take a second to appreciate it.&rdquo;
Miami rebounded from a horrific shooting start &mdash; 4 of 22 &mdash; to keep things close until making a move to start the third quarter. The Heat took the lead early in the third on Herro's 3-pointer &mdash; and led by as many as nine &mdash; but couldn't hold on.
&ldquo;We pride ourselves in being able to win games with defensive stops going down the stretch,&rdquo; Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t recall a stop in the last three or four minutes. It seems like they were scoring or being fouled on each one of those possessions.&rdquo;
TIP-INS
Heat: Herro hit all four of his free throws to run his streak to 24. It's the fourth-longest streak of his career. ... Spoelstra drew a technical foul in the third quarter for arguing. Kyle Lowry had another in the fourth quarter. ... Forward Caleb Martin was scratched because of a quad injury.
Nuggets: Bones Hyland had five 3-pointers and 16 points. ... Aaron Gordon had 11 points. He also drew a technical foul in the second quarter.
POP QUIZ
Malone was asked if this was an important test, given Miami&rsquo;s physical brand of basketball.
&ldquo;Every night is a test. I mean that sincerely,&rdquo; Malone said. &ldquo;We know that they (the Heat) are capable of doing really big things in that Eastern Conference.&rdquo;
UP NEXT
Heat: At Utah on Saturday night.
Nuggets: Host Boston on Sunday night.

Nikola Jokic had his eighth triple-double of the season and the Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Miami Heat 124-119 on Friday.

Murray, Jokic help Nuggets rally for 124-119 win over Heat

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Golden State Warriors have been working to find their defensive groove, and Draymond Green leads the charge. On Friday night, Green and his supporting cast got it done in crunch time.
Jordan Poole scored 41 points, Klay Thompson made a key 3-pointer with 1:36 left and added 31, and the Warriors held off Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers 118-112 to improve the league’s best home record to 16-2.
Green's defense keyed a late 12-0 run after the Warriors trailed by eight with 5 minutes to play, and now the reigning champions have their first four-game winning streak all season.
“That is incredible. That is absolutely amazing," Green said. “I think we're just starting to fight.”
Lillard did his best to rally the Trail Blazers after halftime and finished with 34 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Poole notched his second 40-point game in the past 15 contests. His 3 with 2:57 remaining got Golden State within 110-109 but he turned the ball over the next possession before Jonathan Kuminga's driving, two-handed slam for the lead moments later.
Ty Jerome hit a half-court buzzer-beater to end the first quarter that put Golden State ahead 41-25, <a href="https://twitter.com/JanieMcCAP/status/1609048995422408705">much to the delight of a cheering Stephen Curry</a> as the reigning NBA Finals MVP missed his eighth straight game with a partially dislocated left shoulder. Poole has been the Warriors' top scorer in nine of the 10 total games missed by Curry so far. 
“All four wins required an element of grit,” coach Steve Kerr said. “Our fans can feel it, our fans have been great. I think they’re really enjoying watching this team grow.” 
The Blazers, who have lost four of five, began the third on a 19-9 burst to go ahead 75-69. Anfernee Simons added 22 points and seven rebounds.
Lillard and Simons were a combined 8 for 26 from long range. 
Portland called timeout at the 10:25 mark of the first after the Warriors jumped out to a 9-0 lead by making their first four shots — three by Thompson.
Golden State has won the last four in the series and also four in a row at home.
GP2'S RING NIGHT
Portland guard Gary Payton II, yet to play for the Trail Blazers as he recovers from surgery for a core muscle injury after signing a $28 million, three-year deal, received his championship ring from the Warriors and Green delivered it.
“It's just amazing,” Payton said <a href="https://twitter.com/JanieMcCAP/status/1609040371392339969">during a quick stop at halftime</a>. He greeted dozens of old friends and arena workers.
“I’m pretty sure it’s a validating moment to be able to first and foremost earn a championship ring,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “He just wasn’t on the team and kind of watching from the sideline, he helped earn that ring, and he played his part. So it’s actually awesome for him, all the attention will be on him tonight.”
Golden State had cut him in the preseason then brought him back.
“We don’t win the championship without him, I know that,” Kerr said. 
TIP-INS
Trail Blazers: Big man Jusuf Nurkic sat out with an illness, the second game he has missed in the past five. ... The Blazers shot 12 for 39 from deep. ... Billups said Payton is “close, very close,” to making his season debut. ... Portland last won on Golden State's home floor with a 124-108 victory on March 26, 2021. 
Warriors: C James Wiseman rolled his left ankle taking part in a 3-on-3 scrimmage after the morning shootaround and Kerr said “it doesn't seem too serious.” All-Star Andrew Wiggins also took part in that scrimmage as he works back from an illness that followed his stint sidelined by tightness in his right upper leg — 13 in a row missed overall. The hope is he will play Monday after one more practice day. ... F JaMychal Green is out of the league health and safety protocols but now dealing with an infection in his lower right leg. 
UP NEXT
Trail Blazers: Return home for one game to host Billups' old Pistons team Monday night. 
Warriors: Host Atlanta on Monday night.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) &mdash; The Golden State Warriors have been working to find their defensive groove, and Draymond Green leads the charge. On Friday night, Green and his supporting cast got it done in crunch time.
Jordan Poole scored 41 points, Klay Thompson made a key 3-pointer with 1:36 left and added 31, and the Warriors held off Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers 118-112 to improve the league&rsquo;s best home record to 16-2.
Green's defense keyed a late 12-0 run after the Warriors trailed by eight with 5 minutes to play, and now the reigning champions have their first four-game winning streak all season.
&ldquo;That is incredible. That is absolutely amazing," Green said. &ldquo;I think we're just starting to fight.&rdquo;
Lillard did his best to rally the Trail Blazers after halftime and finished with 34 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Poole notched his second 40-point game in the past 15 contests. His 3 with 2:57 remaining got Golden State within 110-109 but he turned the ball over the next possession before Jonathan Kuminga's driving, two-handed slam for the lead moments later.
Ty Jerome hit a half-court buzzer-beater to end the first quarter that put Golden State ahead 41-25, <a href="https://twitter.com/JanieMcCAP/status/1609048995422408705">much to the delight of a cheering Stephen Curry</a> as the reigning NBA Finals MVP missed his eighth straight game with a partially dislocated left shoulder. Poole has been the Warriors' top scorer in nine of the 10 total games missed by Curry so far.
&ldquo;All four wins required an element of grit,&rdquo; coach Steve Kerr said. &ldquo;Our fans can feel it, our fans have been great. I think they&rsquo;re really enjoying watching this team grow.&rdquo;
The Blazers, who have lost four of five, began the third on a 19-9 burst to go ahead 75-69. Anfernee Simons added 22 points and seven rebounds.
Lillard and Simons were a combined 8 for 26 from long range.
Portland called timeout at the 10:25 mark of the first after the Warriors jumped out to a 9-0 lead by making their first four shots &mdash; three by Thompson.
Golden State has won the last four in the series and also four in a row at home.
GP2'S RING NIGHT
Portland guard Gary Payton II, yet to play for the Trail Blazers as he recovers from surgery for a core muscle injury after signing a $28 million, three-year deal, received his championship ring from the Warriors and Green delivered it.
&ldquo;It's just amazing,&rdquo; Payton said <a href="https://twitter.com/JanieMcCAP/status/1609040371392339969">during a quick stop at halftime</a>. He greeted dozens of old friends and arena workers.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m pretty sure it&rsquo;s a validating moment to be able to first and foremost earn a championship ring,&rdquo; Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. &ldquo;He just wasn&rsquo;t on the team and kind of watching from the sideline, he helped earn that ring, and he played his part. So it&rsquo;s actually awesome for him, all the attention will be on him tonight.&rdquo;
Golden State had cut him in the preseason then brought him back.
&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t win the championship without him, I know that,&rdquo; Kerr said.
TIP-INS
Trail Blazers: Big man Jusuf Nurkic sat out with an illness, the second game he has missed in the past five. ... The Blazers shot 12 for 39 from deep. ... Billups said Payton is &ldquo;close, very close,&rdquo; to making his season debut. ... Portland last won on Golden State's home floor with a 124-108 victory on March 26, 2021.
Warriors: C James Wiseman rolled his left ankle taking part in a 3-on-3 scrimmage after the morning shootaround and Kerr said &ldquo;it doesn't seem too serious.&rdquo; All-Star Andrew Wiggins also took part in that scrimmage as he works back from an illness that followed his stint sidelined by tightness in his right upper leg &mdash; 13 in a row missed overall. The hope is he will play Monday after one more practice day. ... F JaMychal Green is out of the league health and safety protocols but now dealing with an infection in his lower right leg.
UP NEXT
Trail Blazers: Return home for one game to host Billups' old Pistons team Monday night.
Warriors: Host Atlanta on Monday night.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) &mdash; The Golden State Warriors have been working to find their defensive groove, and Draymond Green leads the charge. On Friday night, Green and his supporting cast got it done in crunch time.
Jordan Poole scored 41 points, Klay Thompson made a key 3-pointer with 1:36 left and added 31, and the Warriors held off Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers 118-112 to improve the league&rsquo;s best home record to 16-2.
Green's defense keyed a late 12-0 run after the Warriors trailed by eight with 5 minutes to play, and now the reigning champions have their first four-game winning streak all season.
&ldquo;That is incredible. That is absolutely amazing," Green said. &ldquo;I think we're just starting to fight.&rdquo;
Lillard did his best to rally the Trail Blazers after halftime and finished with 34 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Poole notched his second 40-point game in the past 15 contests. His 3 with 2:57 remaining got Golden State within 110-109 but he turned the ball over the next possession before Jonathan Kuminga's driving, two-handed slam for the lead moments later.
Ty Jerome hit a half-court buzzer-beater to end the first quarter that put Golden State ahead 41-25, <a href="https://twitter.com/JanieMcCAP/status/1609048995422408705">much to the delight of a cheering Stephen Curry</a> as the reigning NBA Finals MVP missed his eighth straight game with a partially dislocated left shoulder. Poole has been the Warriors' top scorer in nine of the 10 total games missed by Curry so far.
&ldquo;All four wins required an element of grit,&rdquo; coach Steve Kerr said. &ldquo;Our fans can feel it, our fans have been great. I think they&rsquo;re really enjoying watching this team grow.&rdquo;
The Blazers, who have lost four of five, began the third on a 19-9 burst to go ahead 75-69. Anfernee Simons added 22 points and seven rebounds.
Lillard and Simons were a combined 8 for 26 from long range.
Portland called timeout at the 10:25 mark of the first after the Warriors jumped out to a 9-0 lead by making their first four shots &mdash; three by Thompson.
Golden State has won the last four in the series and also four in a row at home.
GP2'S RING NIGHT
Portland guard Gary Payton II, yet to play for the Trail Blazers as he recovers from surgery for a core muscle injury after signing a $28 million, three-year deal, received his championship ring from the Warriors and Green delivered it.
&ldquo;It's just amazing,&rdquo; Payton said <a href="https://twitter.com/JanieMcCAP/status/1609040371392339969">during a quick stop at halftime</a>. He greeted dozens of old friends and arena workers.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m pretty sure it&rsquo;s a validating moment to be able to first and foremost earn a championship ring,&rdquo; Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. &ldquo;He just wasn&rsquo;t on the team and kind of watching from the sideline, he helped earn that ring, and he played his part. So it&rsquo;s actually awesome for him, all the attention will be on him tonight.&rdquo;
Golden State had cut him in the preseason then brought him back.
&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t win the championship without him, I know that,&rdquo; Kerr said.
TIP-INS
Trail Blazers: Big man Jusuf Nurkic sat out with an illness, the second game he has missed in the past five. ... The Blazers shot 12 for 39 from deep. ... Billups said Payton is &ldquo;close, very close,&rdquo; to making his season debut. ... Portland last won on Golden State's home floor with a 124-108 victory on March 26, 2021.
Warriors: C James Wiseman rolled his left ankle taking part in a 3-on-3 scrimmage after the morning shootaround and Kerr said &ldquo;it doesn't seem too serious.&rdquo; All-Star Andrew Wiggins also took part in that scrimmage as he works back from an illness that followed his stint sidelined by tightness in his right upper leg &mdash; 13 in a row missed overall. The hope is he will play Monday after one more practice day. ... F JaMychal Green is out of the league health and safety protocols but now dealing with an infection in his lower right leg.
UP NEXT
Trail Blazers: Return home for one game to host Billups' old Pistons team Monday night.
Warriors: Host Atlanta on Monday night.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) &mdash; The Golden State Warriors have been working to find their defensive groove, and Draymond Green leads the charge. On Friday night, Green and his supporting cast got it done in crunch time.
Jordan Poole scored 41 points, Klay Thompson made a key 3-pointer with 1:36 left and added 31, and the Warriors held off Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers 118-112 to improve the league&rsquo;s best home record to 16-2.
Green's defense keyed a late 12-0 run after the Warriors trailed by eight with 5 minutes to play, and now the reigning champions have their first four-game winning streak all season.
&ldquo;That is incredible. That is absolutely amazing," Green said. &ldquo;I think we're just starting to fight.&rdquo;
Lillard did his best to rally the Trail Blazers after halftime and finished with 34 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Poole notched his second 40-point game in the past 15 contests. His 3 with 2:57 remaining got Golden State within 110-109 but he turned the ball over the next possession before Jonathan Kuminga's driving, two-handed slam for the lead moments later.
Ty Jerome hit a half-court buzzer-beater to end the first quarter that put Golden State ahead 41-25, <a href="https://twitter.com/JanieMcCAP/status/1609048995422408705" target="_blank" rel="noopener">much to the delight of a cheering Stephen Curry</a> as the reigning NBA Finals MVP missed his eighth straight game with a partially dislocated left shoulder. Poole has been the Warriors' top scorer in nine of the 10 total games missed by Curry so far.
&ldquo;All four wins required an element of grit,&rdquo; coach Steve Kerr said. &ldquo;Our fans can feel it, our fans have been great. I think they&rsquo;re really enjoying watching this team grow.&rdquo;
The Blazers, who have lost four of five, began the third on a 19-9 burst to go ahead 75-69. Anfernee Simons added 22 points and seven rebounds.
Lillard and Simons were a combined 8 for 26 from long range.
Portland called timeout at the 10:25 mark of the first after the Warriors jumped out to a 9-0 lead by making their first four shots &mdash; three by Thompson.
Golden State has won the last four in the series and also four in a row at home.
GP2'S RING NIGHT
Portland guard Gary Payton II, yet to play for the Trail Blazers as he recovers from surgery for a core muscle injury after signing a $28 million, three-year deal, received his championship ring from the Warriors and Green delivered it.
&ldquo;It's just amazing,&rdquo; Payton said <a href="https://twitter.com/JanieMcCAP/status/1609040371392339969">during a quick stop at halftime</a>. He greeted dozens of old friends and arena workers.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m pretty sure it&rsquo;s a validating moment to be able to first and foremost earn a championship ring,&rdquo; Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. &ldquo;He just wasn&rsquo;t on the team and kind of watching from the sideline, he helped earn that ring, and he played his part. So it&rsquo;s actually awesome for him, all the attention will be on him tonight.&rdquo;
Golden State had cut him in the preseason then brought him back.
&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t win the championship without him, I know that,&rdquo; Kerr said.
TIP-INS
Trail Blazers: Big man Jusuf Nurkic sat out with an illness, the second game he has missed in the past five. ... The Blazers shot 12 for 39 from deep. ... Billups said Payton is &ldquo;close, very close,&rdquo; to making his season debut. ... Portland last won on Golden State's home floor with a 124-108 victory on March 26, 2021.
Warriors: C James Wiseman rolled his left ankle taking part in a 3-on-3 scrimmage after the morning shootaround and Kerr said &ldquo;it doesn't seem too serious.&rdquo; All-Star Andrew Wiggins also took part in that scrimmage as he works back from an illness that followed his stint sidelined by tightness in his right upper leg &mdash; 13 in a row missed overall. The hope is he will play Monday after one more practice day. ... F JaMychal Green is out of the league health and safety protocols but now dealing with an infection in his lower right leg.
UP NEXT
Trail Blazers: Return home for one game to host Billups' old Pistons team Monday night.
Warriors: Host Atlanta on Monday night.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) &mdash; The Golden State Warriors have been working to find their defensive groove, and Draymond Green leads the charge. On Friday night, Green and his supporting cast got it done in crunch time.
Jordan Poole scored 41 points, Klay Thompson made a key 3-pointer with 1:36 left and added 31, and the Warriors held off Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers 118-112 to improve the league&rsquo;s best home record to 16-2.
Green's defense keyed a late 12-0 run after the Warriors trailed by eight with 5 minutes to play, and now the reigning champions have their first four-game winning streak all season.
&ldquo;That is incredible. That is absolutely amazing," Green said. &ldquo;I think we're just starting to fight.&rdquo;
Lillard did his best to rally the Trail Blazers after halftime and finished with 34 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Poole notched his second 40-point game in the past 15 contests. His 3 with 2:57 remaining got Golden State within 110-109 but he turned the ball over the next possession before Jonathan Kuminga's driving, two-handed slam for the lead moments later.
Ty Jerome hit a half-court buzzer-beater to end the first quarter that put Golden State ahead 41-25, <a href="https://twitter.com/JanieMcCAP/status/1609048995422408705" target="_blank" rel="noopener">much to the delight of a cheering Stephen Curry</a> as the reigning NBA Finals MVP missed his eighth straight game with a partially dislocated left shoulder. Poole has been the Warriors' top scorer in nine of the 10 total games missed by Curry so far.
&ldquo;All four wins required an element of grit,&rdquo; coach Steve Kerr said. &ldquo;Our fans can feel it, our fans have been great. I think they&rsquo;re really enjoying watching this team grow.&rdquo;
The Blazers, who have lost four of five, began the third on a 19-9 burst to go ahead 75-69. Anfernee Simons added 22 points and seven rebounds.
Lillard and Simons were a combined 8 for 26 from long range.
Portland called timeout at the 10:25 mark of the first after the Warriors jumped out to a 9-0 lead by making their first four shots &mdash; three by Thompson.
Golden State has won the last four in the series and also four in a row at home.
GP2'S RING NIGHT
Portland guard Gary Payton II, yet to play for the Trail Blazers as he recovers from surgery for a core muscle injury after signing a $28 million, three-year deal, received his championship ring from the Warriors and Green delivered it.
&ldquo;It's just amazing,&rdquo; Payton said during a quick stop at halftime. He greeted dozens of old friends and arena workers.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m pretty sure it&rsquo;s a validating moment to be able to first and foremost earn a championship ring,&rdquo; Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. &ldquo;He just wasn&rsquo;t on the team and kind of watching from the sideline, he helped earn that ring, and he played his part. So it&rsquo;s actually awesome for him, all the attention will be on him tonight.&rdquo;
Golden State had cut him in the preseason then brought him back.
&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t win the championship without him, I know that,&rdquo; Kerr said.
TIP-INS
Trail Blazers: Big man Jusuf Nurkic sat out with an illness, the second game he has missed in the past five. ... The Blazers shot 12 for 39 from deep. ... Billups said Payton is &ldquo;close, very close,&rdquo; to making his season debut. ... Portland last won on Golden State's home floor with a 124-108 victory on March 26, 2021.
Warriors: C James Wiseman rolled his left ankle taking part in a 3-on-3 scrimmage after the morning shootaround and Kerr said &ldquo;it doesn't seem too serious.&rdquo; All-Star Andrew Wiggins also took part in that scrimmage as he works back from an illness that followed his stint sidelined by tightness in his right upper leg &mdash; 13 in a row missed overall. The hope is he will play Monday after one more practice day. ... F JaMychal Green is out of the league health and safety protocols but now dealing with an infection in his lower right leg.
UP NEXT
Trail Blazers: Return home for one game to host Billups' old Pistons team Monday night.
Warriors: Host Atlanta on Monday night.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) &mdash; The Golden State Warriors have been working to find their defensive groove, and Draymond Green leads the charge. On Friday night, Green and his supporting cast got it done in crunch time.
Jordan Poole scored 41 points, Klay Thompson made a key 3-pointer with 1:36 left and added 31, and the Warriors held off Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers 118-112 to improve the league&rsquo;s best home record to 16-2.
Green's defense keyed a late 12-0 run after the Warriors trailed by eight with 5 minutes to play, and now the reigning champions have their first four-game winning streak all season.
&ldquo;That is incredible. That is absolutely amazing," Green said. &ldquo;I think we're just starting to fight.&rdquo;
Lillard did his best to rally the Trail Blazers after halftime and finished with 34 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Poole notched his second 40-point game in the past 15 contests. His 3 with 2:57 remaining got Golden State within 110-109 but he turned the ball over the next possession before Jonathan Kuminga's driving, two-handed slam for the lead moments later.
Ty Jerome hit a half-court buzzer-beater to end the first quarter that put Golden State ahead 41-25, <a href="https://twitter.com/JanieMcCAP/status/1609048995422408705" target="_blank" rel="noopener">much to the delight of a cheering Stephen Curry</a> as the reigning NBA Finals MVP missed his eighth straight game with a partially dislocated left shoulder. Poole has been the Warriors' top scorer in nine of the 10 total games missed by Curry so far.
&ldquo;All four wins required an element of grit,&rdquo; coach Steve Kerr said. &ldquo;Our fans can feel it, our fans have been great. I think they&rsquo;re really enjoying watching this team grow.&rdquo;
The Blazers, who have lost four of five, began the third on a 19-9 burst to go ahead 75-69. Anfernee Simons added 22 points and seven rebounds.
Lillard and Simons were a combined 8 for 26 from long range.
Portland called timeout at the 10:25 mark of the first after the Warriors jumped out to a 9-0 lead by making their first four shots &mdash; three by Thompson.
Golden State has won the last four in the series and also four in a row at home.
GP2'S RING NIGHT
Portland guard Gary Payton II, yet to play for the Trail Blazers as he recovers from surgery for a core muscle injury after signing a $28 million, three-year deal, received his championship ring from the Warriors and Green delivered it.
&ldquo;It's just amazing,&rdquo; Payton said during a quick stop at halftime. He greeted dozens of old friends and arena workers.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m pretty sure it&rsquo;s a validating moment to be able to first and foremost earn a championship ring,&rdquo; Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. &ldquo;He just wasn&rsquo;t on the team and kind of watching from the sideline, he helped earn that ring, and he played his part. So it&rsquo;s actually awesome for him, all the attention will be on him tonight.&rdquo;
Golden State had cut him in the preseason then brought him back.
&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t win the championship without him, I know that,&rdquo; Kerr said.
TIP-INS
Trail Blazers: Big man Jusuf Nurkic sat out with an illness, the second game he has missed in the past five. ... The Blazers shot 12 for 39 from deep. ... Billups said Payton is &ldquo;close, very close,&rdquo; to making his season debut. ... Portland last won on Golden State's home floor with a 124-108 victory on March 26, 2021.
Warriors: C James Wiseman rolled his left ankle taking part in a 3-on-3 scrimmage after the morning shootaround and Kerr said &ldquo;it doesn't seem too serious.&rdquo; All-Star Andrew Wiggins also took part in that scrimmage as he works back from an illness that followed his stint sidelined by tightness in his right upper leg &mdash; 13 in a row missed overall. The hope is he will play Monday after one more practice day. ... F JaMychal Green is out of the league health and safety protocols but now dealing with an infection in his lower right leg.
UP NEXT
Trail Blazers: Return home for one game to host Billups' old Pistons team Monday night.
Warriors: Host Atlanta on Monday night.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) &mdash; The Golden State Warriors have been working to find their defensive groove, and Draymond Green leads the charge. On Friday night, Green and his supporting cast got it done in crunch time.
Jordan Poole scored 41 points, Klay Thompson made a key 3-pointer with 1:36 left and added 31, and the Warriors held off Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers 118-112 to improve the league&rsquo;s best home record to 16-2.
Green's defense keyed a late 12-0 run after the Warriors trailed by eight with 5 minutes to play, and now the reigning champions have their first four-game winning streak all season.
&ldquo;That is incredible. That is absolutely amazing," Green said. &ldquo;I think we're just starting to fight.&rdquo;
Lillard did his best to rally the Trail Blazers after halftime and finished with 34 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Poole notched his second 40-point game in the past 15 contests. His 3 with 2:57 remaining got Golden State within 110-109 but he turned the ball over the next possession before Jonathan Kuminga's driving, two-handed slam for the lead moments later.
Ty Jerome hit a half-court buzzer-beater to end the first quarter that put Golden State ahead 41-25, <a href="https://twitter.com/JanieMcCAP/status/1609048995422408705" target="_blank" rel="noopener">much to the delight of a cheering Stephen Curry</a> as the reigning NBA Finals MVP missed his eighth straight game with a partially dislocated left shoulder. Poole has been the Warriors' top scorer in nine of the 10 total games missed by Curry so far.
&ldquo;All four wins required an element of grit,&rdquo; coach Steve Kerr said. &ldquo;Our fans can feel it, our fans have been great. I think they&rsquo;re really enjoying watching this team grow.&rdquo;
The Blazers, who have lost four of five, began the third on a 19-9 burst to go ahead 75-69. Anfernee Simons added 22 points and seven rebounds.
Lillard and Simons were a combined 8 for 26 from long range.
Portland called timeout at the 10:25 mark of the first after the Warriors jumped out to a 9-0 lead by making their first four shots &mdash; three by Thompson.
Golden State has won the last four in the series and also four in a row at home.
GP2'S RING NIGHT
Portland guard Gary Payton II, yet to play for the Trail Blazers as he recovers from surgery for a core muscle injury after signing a $28 million, three-year deal, received his championship ring from the Warriors and Green delivered it.
&ldquo;It's just amazing,&rdquo; Payton said during a quick stop at halftime. He greeted dozens of old friends and arena workers.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Gary Payton II loved the moment getting his sparkling ring, and even shook my hand with it, too. <a href="https://t.co/AXjJTNhfx3">pic.twitter.com/AXjJTNhfx3</a>
&mdash; Janie McCauley (@JanieMcCAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JanieMcCAP/status/1609040371392339969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

&ldquo;I&rsquo;m pretty sure it&rsquo;s a validating moment to be able to first and foremost earn a championship ring,&rdquo; Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. &ldquo;He just wasn&rsquo;t on the team and kind of watching from the sideline, he helped earn that ring, and he played his part. So it&rsquo;s actually awesome for him, all the attention will be on him tonight.&rdquo;
Golden State had cut him in the preseason then brought him back.
&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t win the championship without him, I know that,&rdquo; Kerr said.
TIP-INS
Trail Blazers: Big man Jusuf Nurkic sat out with an illness, the second game he has missed in the past five. ... The Blazers shot 12 for 39 from deep. ... Billups said Payton is &ldquo;close, very close,&rdquo; to making his season debut. ... Portland last won on Golden State's home floor with a 124-108 victory on March 26, 2021.
Warriors: C James Wiseman rolled his left ankle taking part in a 3-on-3 scrimmage after the morning shootaround and Kerr said &ldquo;it doesn't seem too serious.&rdquo; All-Star Andrew Wiggins also took part in that scrimmage as he works back from an illness that followed his stint sidelined by tightness in his right upper leg &mdash; 13 in a row missed overall. The hope is he will play Monday after one more practice day. ... F JaMychal Green is out of the league health and safety protocols but now dealing with an infection in his lower right leg.
UP NEXT
Trail Blazers: Return home for one game to host Billups' old Pistons team Monday night.
Warriors: Host Atlanta on Monday night.

Jordan Poole scored 41 points and the Warriors held off the Blazers 118-112 to improve the league’s best home record to 16-2.

Poole scores 41, Thompson 31 as Warriors beat Blazers 118-112

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 43 points and 20 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a four-game losing streak with a 123-114 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
Antetokounmpo finished two points off his season high and also had five assists to join Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history with back-to-back games of at least 40 points, 20 rebounds and five assists. Chamberlain did it five times and Baylor once, with Chamberlain the last to do it Jan. 6-7, 1966.
“It's a great compliment to be around those guys,” said Antetokounmpo, who has topped 40 points in four of the last six games. “I just want to win games so I just tried to go out there and do whatever I can to push myself to the limit.”
Bobby Portis added 22 points and 14 rebounds for Milwaukee, with 11 points coming in the opening quarter while most of his teammates were still trying to find their rhythm. 
“If I get the ball on a nightly basis, I'm going to score,” Portis said. “That's what I'm good at: trying to put the ball in the hole and trying to pass the ball to the rim, like my coach growing up used to say.”
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 30 points on 10-of-20 shooting. Luka Garza and Jaylen Nowell each had 16 points in the Timberwolves' fifth straight loss.
Minnesota center Rudy Gobert sat out because of a non-COVID illness and star forward Karl Anthony-Towns did not play because of a strained right calf.
The Bucks struggled to connect through the first 24 minutes, shooting just 36% from the floor and 13.6% (2 of 22) from 3-point range. Minnesota led 61-50 at the half.
Milwaukee outscored Minnesota 39-22 in the quarter. Joe Ingles accounted for eight of those points, six on a pair of 3-pointers, then hit another 3 for Milwaukee's first points of the fourth. Ingles finished with 14 points and 10 assists. 
“Joe's fingerprints were all over (the second half)”" Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “He gave us a big boost and a toughness that we needed.”
Minnesota made one last run, clawing within seven after Edwards recovered from a hard fall to make a pair of free throws with 4:13 left.
“We let them get back in the game and get confident,” Garza said. “It’s tough to stop the bleeding when that happens.”
EDWARDS FINISHES
Edwards played a team-high 40 minutes and managed to remain on the floor for the final 4:13 despite needing help just getting back to the bench after suffering what appeared to be a left leg injury when he took an akward fall while driving through the lane.
Edwards returned to the floor to sink two free throws and added six more points before time expired. The extent of his injury, as well as his availability for Minnesota's New Year's Eve meeting with the Pistons, was not known. 
“There's always a concern,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “We'll just have to wait and see.”
TIP-INs
Timberwolves: Kyle Anderson returned to Minnesota’s starting lineup after missing the last five games because of back spasms. … The Timberwolves are 3-3 in the first game of back-to-backs this season. 
Bucks: Jrue Holiday and George Hill were held out Friday night after coming down with a bug that’s been making its way through Milwaukee’s locker room. ... Antetokounmpo is averaging 38 points and 14.6 rebounds over his last six games. 
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: Host Detroit on Saturday night.
Bucks: Host Washington on Sunday night.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) &mdash; Giannis Antetokounmpo had 43 points and 20 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a four-game losing streak with a 123-114 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
Antetokounmpo finished two points off his season high and also had five assists to join Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history with back-to-back games of at least 40 points, 20 rebounds and five assists. Chamberlain did it five times and Baylor once, with Chamberlain the last to do it Jan. 6-7, 1966.
&ldquo;It's a great compliment to be around those guys,&rdquo; said Antetokounmpo, who has topped 40 points in four of the last six games. &ldquo;I just want to win games so I just tried to go out there and do whatever I can to push myself to the limit.&rdquo;
Bobby Portis added 22 points and 14 rebounds for Milwaukee, with 11 points coming in the opening quarter while most of his teammates were still trying to find their rhythm.
&ldquo;If I get the ball on a nightly basis, I'm going to score,&rdquo; Portis said. &ldquo;That's what I'm good at: trying to put the ball in the hole and trying to pass the ball to the rim, like my coach growing up used to say.&rdquo;
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 30 points on 10-of-20 shooting. Luka Garza and Jaylen Nowell each had 16 points in the Timberwolves' fifth straight loss.
Minnesota center Rudy Gobert sat out because of a non-COVID illness and star forward Karl Anthony-Towns did not play because of a strained right calf.
The Bucks struggled to connect through the first 24 minutes, shooting just 36% from the floor and 13.6% (2 of 22) from 3-point range. Minnesota led 61-50 at the half.
Milwaukee outscored Minnesota 39-22 in the quarter. Joe Ingles accounted for eight of those points, six on a pair of 3-pointers, then hit another 3 for Milwaukee's first points of the fourth. Ingles finished with 14 points and 10 assists.
&ldquo;Joe's fingerprints were all over (the second half)&rdquo;" Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. &ldquo;He gave us a big boost and a toughness that we needed.&rdquo;
Minnesota made one last run, clawing within seven after Edwards recovered from a hard fall to make a pair of free throws with 4:13 left.
&ldquo;We let them get back in the game and get confident,&rdquo; Garza said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s tough to stop the bleeding when that happens.&rdquo;
EDWARDS FINISHES
Edwards played a team-high 40 minutes and managed to remain on the floor for the final 4:13 despite needing help just getting back to the bench after suffering what appeared to be a left leg injury when he took an akward fall while driving through the lane.
Edwards returned to the floor to sink two free throws and added six more points before time expired. The extent of his injury, as well as his availability for Minnesota's New Year's Eve meeting with the Pistons, was not known.
&ldquo;There's always a concern,&rdquo; Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. &ldquo;We'll just have to wait and see.&rdquo;
TIP-INs
Timberwolves: Kyle Anderson returned to Minnesota&rsquo;s starting lineup after missing the last five games because of back spasms. &hellip; The Timberwolves are 3-3 in the first game of back-to-backs this season.
Bucks: Jrue Holiday and George Hill were held out Friday night after coming down with a bug that&rsquo;s been making its way through Milwaukee&rsquo;s locker room. ... Antetokounmpo is averaging 38 points and 14.6 rebounds over his last six games.
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: Host Detroit on Saturday night.
Bucks: Host Washington on Sunday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 43 points and 20 rebounds and the Bucks got a 123-114 victory over the Timberwolves on Friday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has 43 and 20, Bucks snap 4-game skid

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — CJ McCollum scored 42 points, making a franchise-record and career-high 11 3-pointers, and Zion Williamson added 36 to power the New Orleans Pelicans to a 127-116 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.
McCollum nailed 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions in a 42-second span of the second quarter, giving the Pelicans a 56-40 lead. McCollum finished the half 7 of 11 from long range and 11 of 16 for the game.
McCollum surpassed Peja Stojakovic’s franchise record of 10 3s in a game, set against the Lakers in 2007.
“It’s just a credit to working hard and believing in yourself and really, really taking the game seriously,” McCollum said. “Peja is obviously a legend who shot the ball extremely well. These types of nights come with preparation.”
The Pelicans were 10 of 17 from distance in taking a 67-60 halftime lead and finished the game 15 of 31 behind the arc.
Williamson, who scored 43 on Wednesday, had 12 in the fourth quarter as New Orleans pushed a 99-91 lead to 119-107 with 5:03 left. 
“I love to see it,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “What makes Z special is that physically he can take all the bumps and all the hits and he keeps coming at you. I wouldn’t want to guard him.”
McCollum’s 11th 3-pointer with 2:26 left gave New Orleans a 124-110 lead and broke Stojakovic’s franchise mark.
“When he plays with that type of force and that pace — his slow-to-fast was just really good, and he just got it going,” Green said. “The basket got bigger as the game progressed. That’s how he has to play. He may not have 40 every game, but he’ll have a major impact.
Joel Embiid finished with 37 points on 14-for-22 shooting. He scored 15 of Philadelphia’s first 24 points and had 20 first-half points on 8-of-9 shooting. 
James Harden added 20 points.
76ers coach Doc Rivers said his team surrendering 30 points off 19 turnovers was key to the loss, but he acknowledged McCollum’s marksmanship.
“McCollum was great tonight,” Rivers said. “He got a lot of those in transition. (But) I really thought that with the turnovers, we never could get a rhythm. It would be great if it was just one stretch, but it just never stopped.” 
The Pelicans forced 13 turnovers in the first half and turned those into 25 points.
TIP-INS
76ers: G Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers’ second-leading scorer (22.9), returned after missing 18 games with a left foot fracture, scoring nine points in 19 minutes. “I always think ball-handling is the toughest part of coming back,” Rivers said. “You just can’t practice the speed that you play with. We just want him to be aggressive and just not overthink the game.” … Philadelphia has lost two straight after winning eight consecutive games. … The Sixers entered the game second in the NBA in scoring defense (108.0).
Pelicans: F Brandon Ingram (averaging 20.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 15 games) missed his 16th consecutive game with a left toe injury. He said Thursday his recovery has been up and down. “Whenever I feel 100%, I’ll give it a go,” Ingram said. “But it’s hard to say right now.” … F Larry Nance sat out with neck spasms. … The Pelicans have gone 12-4 in the last month, sandwiching a four-game losing streak with separate winning streaks of seven and five games. … New Orleans has lost just twice at home in the last 48 days.
UP NEXT
76ers: Close a four-game road trip on Saturday at Oklahoma City.
Pelicans: At Memphis on Saturday.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) &mdash; CJ McCollum scored 42 points, making a franchise-record and career-high 11 3-pointers, and Zion Williamson added 36 to power the New Orleans Pelicans to a 127-116 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.
McCollum nailed 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions in a 42-second span of the second quarter, giving the Pelicans a 56-40 lead. McCollum finished the half 7 of 11 from long range and 11 of 16 for the game.
McCollum surpassed Peja Stojakovic&rsquo;s franchise record of 10 3s in a game, set against the Lakers in 2007.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s just a credit to working hard and believing in yourself and really, really taking the game seriously,&rdquo; McCollum said. &ldquo;Peja is obviously a legend who shot the ball extremely well. These types of nights come with preparation.&rdquo;
The Pelicans were 10 of 17 from distance in taking a 67-60 halftime lead and finished the game 15 of 31 behind the arc.
Williamson, who scored 43 on Wednesday, had 12 in the fourth quarter as New Orleans pushed a 99-91 lead to 119-107 with 5:03 left.
&ldquo;I love to see it,&rdquo; Pelicans coach Willie Green said. &ldquo;What makes Z special is that physically he can take all the bumps and all the hits and he keeps coming at you. I wouldn&rsquo;t want to guard him.&rdquo;
McCollum&rsquo;s 11th 3-pointer with 2:26 left gave New Orleans a 124-110 lead and broke Stojakovic&rsquo;s franchise mark.
&ldquo;When he plays with that type of force and that pace &mdash; his slow-to-fast was just really good, and he just got it going,&rdquo; Green said. &ldquo;The basket got bigger as the game progressed. That&rsquo;s how he has to play. He may not have 40 every game, but he&rsquo;ll have a major impact.
Joel Embiid finished with 37 points on 14-for-22 shooting. He scored 15 of Philadelphia&rsquo;s first 24 points and had 20 first-half points on 8-of-9 shooting.
James Harden added 20 points.
76ers coach Doc Rivers said his team surrendering 30 points off 19 turnovers was key to the loss, but he acknowledged McCollum&rsquo;s marksmanship.
&ldquo;McCollum was great tonight,&rdquo; Rivers said. &ldquo;He got a lot of those in transition. (But) I really thought that with the turnovers, we never could get a rhythm. It would be great if it was just one stretch, but it just never stopped.&rdquo;
The Pelicans forced 13 turnovers in the first half and turned those into 25 points.
TIP-INS
76ers: G Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers&rsquo; second-leading scorer (22.9), returned after missing 18 games with a left foot fracture, scoring nine points in 19 minutes. &ldquo;I always think ball-handling is the toughest part of coming back,&rdquo; Rivers said. &ldquo;You just can&rsquo;t practice the speed that you play with. We just want him to be aggressive and just not overthink the game.&rdquo; &hellip; Philadelphia has lost two straight after winning eight consecutive games. &hellip; The Sixers entered the game second in the NBA in scoring defense (108.0).
Pelicans: F Brandon Ingram (averaging 20.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 15 games) missed his 16th consecutive game with a left toe injury. He said Thursday his recovery has been up and down. &ldquo;Whenever I feel 100%, I&rsquo;ll give it a go,&rdquo; Ingram said. &ldquo;But it&rsquo;s hard to say right now.&rdquo; &hellip; F Larry Nance sat out with neck spasms. &hellip; The Pelicans have gone 12-4 in the last month, sandwiching a four-game losing streak with separate winning streaks of seven and five games. &hellip; New Orleans has lost just twice at home in the last 48 days.
UP NEXT
76ers: Close a four-game road trip on Saturday at Oklahoma City.
Pelicans: At Memphis on Saturday.

CJ McCollum scored 42 points, powering the New Orleans Pelicans to a 127-116 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.

McCollum makes 11 threes, scores 42 as Pelicans beat 76ers 127-116

TORONTO (AP) — Gary Trent Jr. matched his season high with 35 points, Pascal Siakam had 26 and the Toronto Raptors snapped a five-game home losing streak with a 113-104 victory over the short-handed and sloppy Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
Scottie Barnes hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3:16 left in the fourth quarter and rookie center Christian Kololo followed with another long-range basket to help the Raptors win for the third time in 11 games. O.G. Anunoby scored 16 points and Barnes finished with 11.
Siakam has scored at least 25 points in seven consecutive games. Vince Carter did it in a franchise-record eight straight in February and March, 2001.
Chris Paul had 20 points and 12 assists, but had six of the Suns' season-worst 27 turnovers that led to 34 points for the Raptors.
Mikal Bridges scored 21 points and Torrey Craig had 13 as Phoenix lost for the fifth time in its past six.
The Suns played their third straight game without All-Star guard Devin Booker, who is expected to miss at least four weeks because of a strained left groin.
Booker had missed five of seven games because of hamstring and groin ailments before returning against Denver on Christmas Day. He lasted just four minutes before leaving. The Suns also are without Cam Johnson (right knee), Cameron Payne (right foot) and Landry Shamet (right Achilles).
Toronto guard Fred VanVleet missed his second straight game because of a sore lower back
The Raptors led 33-24 after one quarter, and were up 53-51 at the half.
Trent dunked after stealing Craig’s errant pass with 9:32 left in the third quarter. That was the 19th turnover for Phoenix, matching its previous single-game worst this season.
Suns guard Josh Okogie turned the ball over again 23 seconds later, leading to a 3 for Siakam.
After scoring 10 points off 15 Phoenix turnovers in the first half, Toronto scored 15 points off seven Suns turnovers in the third quarter.
Trent scored 18 points in the third as the Raptors took an 86-79 lead to the fourth.
TIP-INS
Suns: Had nine turnovers in the first quarter. … Jock Landale had 11 rebounds. … Duane Washington Jr. scored 11 points. … Outrebounded Toronto 42-32.
Raptors: Went 5-10 in December. … Trent shot 9 for 9 at the free throw line.
UP NEXT
Suns: At New York on Sunday.
Raptors: At Indiana on Monday night.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TORONTO (AP) &mdash; Gary Trent Jr. matched his season high with 35 points, Pascal Siakam had 26 and the Toronto Raptors snapped a five-game home losing streak with a 113-104 victory over the short-handed and sloppy Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
Scottie Barnes hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3:16 left in the fourth quarter and rookie center Christian Kololo followed with another long-range basket to help the Raptors win for the third time in 11 games. O.G. Anunoby scored 16 points and Barnes finished with 11.
Siakam has scored at least 25 points in seven consecutive games. Vince Carter did it in a franchise-record eight straight in February and March, 2001.
Chris Paul had 20 points and 12 assists, but had six of the Suns' season-worst 27 turnovers that led to 34 points for the Raptors.
Mikal Bridges scored 21 points and Torrey Craig had 13 as Phoenix lost for the fifth time in its past six.
The Suns played their third straight game without All-Star guard Devin Booker, who is expected to miss at least four weeks because of a strained left groin.
Booker had missed five of seven games because of hamstring and groin ailments before returning against Denver on Christmas Day. He lasted just four minutes before leaving. The Suns also are without Cam Johnson (right knee), Cameron Payne (right foot) and Landry Shamet (right Achilles).
Toronto guard Fred VanVleet missed his second straight game because of a sore lower back
The Raptors led 33-24 after one quarter, and were up 53-51 at the half.
Trent dunked after stealing Craig&rsquo;s errant pass with 9:32 left in the third quarter. That was the 19th turnover for Phoenix, matching its previous single-game worst this season.
Suns guard Josh Okogie turned the ball over again 23 seconds later, leading to a 3 for Siakam.
After scoring 10 points off 15 Phoenix turnovers in the first half, Toronto scored 15 points off seven Suns turnovers in the third quarter.
Trent scored 18 points in the third as the Raptors took an 86-79 lead to the fourth.
TIP-INS
Suns: Had nine turnovers in the first quarter. &hellip; Jock Landale had 11 rebounds. &hellip; Duane Washington Jr. scored 11 points. &hellip; Outrebounded Toronto 42-32.
Raptors: Went 5-10 in December. &hellip; Trent shot 9 for 9 at the free throw line.
UP NEXT
Suns: At New York on Sunday.
Raptors: At Indiana on Monday night.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TORONTO (AP) &mdash; Gary Trent Jr. matched his season high with 35 points, Pascal Siakam had 26 and the Toronto Raptors snapped a five-game home losing streak with a 113-104 victory over the short-handed and sloppy Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
Scottie Barnes hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3:16 left in the fourth quarter and rookie center Christian Kololo followed with another long-range basket to help the Raptors win for the third time in 11 games. O.G. Anunoby scored 16 points and Barnes finished with 11.
Siakam has scored at least 25 points in seven consecutive games. Vince Carter did it in a franchise-record eight straight in February and March, 2001.
Chris Paul had 20 points and 12 assists, but had six of the Suns' season-worst 27 turnovers that led to 34 points for the Raptors.
Mikal Bridges scored 21 points and Torrey Craig had 13 as Phoenix lost for the fifth time in its past six.
The Suns played their third straight game without All-Star guard Devin Booker, who is expected to miss at least four weeks because of a strained left groin.
Booker had missed five of seven games because of hamstring and groin ailments before returning against Denver on Christmas Day. He lasted just four minutes before leaving. The Suns also are without Cam Johnson (right knee), Cameron Payne (right foot) and Landry Shamet (right Achilles).
Toronto guard Fred VanVleet missed his second straight game because of a sore lower back
The Raptors led 33-24 after one quarter, and were up 53-51 at the half.
Trent dunked after stealing Craig&rsquo;s errant pass with 9:32 left in the third quarter. That was the 19th turnover for Phoenix, matching its previous single-game worst this season.
Suns guard Josh Okogie turned the ball over again 23 seconds later, leading to a 3 for Siakam.
After scoring 10 points off 15 Phoenix turnovers in the first half, Toronto scored 15 points off seven Suns turnovers in the third quarter.
Trent scored 18 points in the third as the Raptors took an 86-79 lead to the fourth.
TIP-INS
Suns: Had nine turnovers in the first quarter. &hellip; Jock Landale had 11 rebounds. &hellip; Duane Washington Jr. scored 11 points. &hellip; Outrebounded Toronto 42-32.
Raptors: Went 5-10 in December. &hellip; Trent shot 9 for 9 at the free throw line.
&nbsp;

Gary Trent Jr. matched his season high with 35 points, and the Toronto Raptors beat the Phoenix Suns 113-104.

Trent scores 35 points, Raptors beat short-handed Suns

ATLANTA (AP) — LeBron James scored a season-high 47 points on his 38th birthday with many of the sellout crowd at State Farm Arena cheering his every move, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 130-121 on Friday night.
James, a four-time NBA MVP and an 18-time All-Star, finished with 10 rebounds and nine assists. He had 16 points in the second quarter, 13 in the third and 16 in the fourth. James began the game ranked ninth in scoring with a 27.8 average. 
The Hawks (17-19), who have lost three in row, blew a 15-point lead but regained a 101-100 lead on Aaron Holiday’s 3-pointer with 10:50 remaining. James hit a 3 from the right wing to make it 103-101 and Los Angeles never trailed again. The Lakers (15-21) went up 108-105 on James’ straightaway 3, and the Hawks called timeout.
The Lakers had lost nine of their last 13 but led 120-113 on James’ three-point play with 2:18 to go. Much of the crowd came to its feet roaring as he drew John Collins’ sixth foul and fell down as he hit a baseline layup. He hit the free throw and came back on the next possession with a reverse layup on the baseline that drew the crowd to its feet again.
Los Angeles led 126-119 on Thomas Bryant’s layup with 55 seconds to go and was never threatened again. James ended it with a pair of free throws to make it 130-121 with the crowd chanting, “MVP! MVP!”
Bryant had 19 points and a season-high 17 rebounds, and Russell Westbrook had 14 points and 11 assists.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 29 points and Dejounte Murray had 20.
Down by 15 in the second quarter, Los Angeles took an 82-81 lead late in the third on James’ fast-break lay-in. The Lakers were in the midst of a 17-4 run that ended with James’ three-point play and an 87-83 lead.
Young’s three-point play late in the opening period gave the Hawks their first double-digit lead at 26-16. Young had 13 points in the first but he landed awkwardly while hitting a layup in traffic at the first-quarter buzzer, appearing to bump knees with another player. He returned at the 4:42 mark of the second and had 17 points at the half.
Los Angeles, which had 39 points in the second quarter, trailed by 15 in the period but entered intermission down 67-62.
James left the court after a TV interview and signed his jersey for rapper 2 Chainz before leaving the court to another standing ovation.
TIP-INS
Lakers: James’ previous season high was 39 points Nov. 26 at San Antonio. ... Coach Darvin Ham said Anthony Davis is “trending in the right direction” with his right foot stress injury and that “the pain has just about dissipated.” Davis, who’s been sidelined for two weeks, told reporters before the game that he’s “feeling a lot better” and that “the pain has subsided tremendously.” Davis isn’t expected back until the second week of January. ... Austin Reaves started in place of Lonnie Walker IV (tailbone) and scored five points on 1 for 13 shooting. 
Hawks: Clint Capela (right calf contusion) was out for the sixth time in the last seven games. Onyeka Okongwu started in his spot again and had 17 points. ... De’Andre Hunter (left ankle sprain) missed his third straight game. ... The NBA fined Bogdan Bogdanovic $25,000 for kicking a ball into the stands following Wednesday’s 108-107 home loss to Brooklyn.
UP NEXT
Lakers: At Charlotte on Monday. 
Hawks: At Golden State on Monday.
___
AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nba">https://apnews.com/hub/nba</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Sports">https://twitter.com/AP_Sports</a>

ATLANTA (AP) &mdash; LeBron James scored a season-high 47 points on his 38th birthday with many of the sellout crowd at State Farm Arena cheering his every move, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 130-121 on Friday night.
James, a four-time NBA MVP and an 18-time All-Star, finished with 10 rebounds and nine assists. He had 16 points in the second quarter, 13 in the third and 16 in the fourth. James began the game ranked ninth in scoring with a 27.8 average.
The Hawks (17-19), who have lost three in row, blew a 15-point lead but regained a 101-100 lead on Aaron Holiday&rsquo;s 3-pointer with 10:50 remaining. James hit a 3 from the right wing to make it 103-101 and Los Angeles never trailed again. The Lakers (15-21) went up 108-105 on James&rsquo; straightaway 3, and the Hawks called timeout.
The Lakers had lost nine of their last 13 but led 120-113 on James&rsquo; three-point play with 2:18 to go. Much of the crowd came to its feet roaring as he drew John Collins&rsquo; sixth foul and fell down as he hit a baseline layup. He hit the free throw and came back on the next possession with a reverse layup on the baseline that drew the crowd to its feet again.
Los Angeles led 126-119 on Thomas Bryant&rsquo;s layup with 55 seconds to go and was never threatened again. James ended it with a pair of free throws to make it 130-121 with the crowd chanting, &ldquo;MVP! MVP!&rdquo;
Bryant had 19 points and a season-high 17 rebounds, and Russell Westbrook had 14 points and 11 assists.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 29 points and Dejounte Murray had 20.
Down by 15 in the second quarter, Los Angeles took an 82-81 lead late in the third on James&rsquo; fast-break lay-in. The Lakers were in the midst of a 17-4 run that ended with James&rsquo; three-point play and an 87-83 lead.
Young&rsquo;s three-point play late in the opening period gave the Hawks their first double-digit lead at 26-16. Young had 13 points in the first but he landed awkwardly while hitting a layup in traffic at the first-quarter buzzer, appearing to bump knees with another player. He returned at the 4:42 mark of the second and had 17 points at the half.
Los Angeles, which had 39 points in the second quarter, trailed by 15 in the period but entered intermission down 67-62.
James left the court after a TV interview and signed his jersey for rapper 2 Chainz before leaving the court to another standing ovation.
TIP-INS
Lakers: James&rsquo; previous season high was 39 points Nov. 26 at San Antonio. ... Coach Darvin Ham said Anthony Davis is &ldquo;trending in the right direction&rdquo; with his right foot stress injury and that &ldquo;the pain has just about dissipated.&rdquo; Davis, who&rsquo;s been sidelined for two weeks, told reporters before the game that he&rsquo;s &ldquo;feeling a lot better&rdquo; and that &ldquo;the pain has subsided tremendously.&rdquo; Davis isn&rsquo;t expected back until the second week of January. ... Austin Reaves started in place of Lonnie Walker IV (tailbone) and scored five points on 1 for 13 shooting.
Hawks: Clint Capela (right calf contusion) was out for the sixth time in the last seven games. Onyeka Okongwu started in his spot again and had 17 points. ... De&rsquo;Andre Hunter (left ankle sprain) missed his third straight game. ... The NBA fined Bogdan Bogdanovic $25,000 for kicking a ball into the stands following Wednesday&rsquo;s 108-107 home loss to Brooklyn.
UP NEXT
Lakers: At Charlotte on Monday.
Hawks: At Golden State on Monday.
___
AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nba">https://apnews.com/hub/nba</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Sports">https://twitter.com/AP_Sports</a>

ATLANTA (AP) &mdash; LeBron James scored a season-high 47 points on his 38th birthday with many of the sellout crowd at State Farm Arena cheering his every move, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 130-121 on Friday night.
James, a four-time NBA MVP and an 18-time All-Star, finished with 10 rebounds and nine assists. He had 16 points in the second quarter, 13 in the third and 16 in the fourth. James began the game ranked ninth in scoring with a 27.8 average.
The Hawks (17-19), who have lost three in row, blew a 15-point lead but regained a 101-100 lead on Aaron Holiday&rsquo;s 3-pointer with 10:50 remaining. James hit a 3 from the right wing to make it 103-101 and Los Angeles never trailed again. The Lakers (15-21) went up 108-105 on James&rsquo; straightaway 3, and the Hawks called timeout.
The Lakers had lost nine of their last 13 but led 120-113 on James&rsquo; three-point play with 2:18 to go. Much of the crowd came to its feet roaring as he drew John Collins&rsquo; sixth foul and fell down as he hit a baseline layup. He hit the free throw and came back on the next possession with a reverse layup on the baseline that drew the crowd to its feet again.
Los Angeles led 126-119 on Thomas Bryant&rsquo;s layup with 55 seconds to go and was never threatened again. James ended it with a pair of free throws to make it 130-121 with the crowd chanting, &ldquo;MVP! MVP!&rdquo;
Bryant had 19 points and a season-high 17 rebounds, and Russell Westbrook had 14 points and 11 assists.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 29 points and Dejounte Murray had 20.
Down by 15 in the second quarter, Los Angeles took an 82-81 lead late in the third on James&rsquo; fast-break lay-in. The Lakers were in the midst of a 17-4 run that ended with James&rsquo; three-point play and an 87-83 lead.
Young&rsquo;s three-point play late in the opening period gave the Hawks their first double-digit lead at 26-16. Young had 13 points in the first but he landed awkwardly while hitting a layup in traffic at the first-quarter buzzer, appearing to bump knees with another player. He returned at the 4:42 mark of the second and had 17 points at the half.
Los Angeles, which had 39 points in the second quarter, trailed by 15 in the period but entered intermission down 67-62.
James left the court after a TV interview and signed his jersey for rapper 2 Chainz before leaving the court to another standing ovation.
TIP-INS
Lakers: James&rsquo; previous season high was 39 points Nov. 26 at San Antonio. ... Coach Darvin Ham said Anthony Davis is &ldquo;trending in the right direction&rdquo; with his right foot stress injury and that &ldquo;the pain has just about dissipated.&rdquo; Davis, who&rsquo;s been sidelined for two weeks, told reporters before the game that he&rsquo;s &ldquo;feeling a lot better&rdquo; and that &ldquo;the pain has subsided tremendously.&rdquo; Davis isn&rsquo;t expected back until the second week of January. ... Austin Reaves started in place of Lonnie Walker IV (tailbone) and scored five points on 1 for 13 shooting.
Hawks: Clint Capela (right calf contusion) was out for the sixth time in the last seven games. Onyeka Okongwu started in his spot again and had 17 points. ... De&rsquo;Andre Hunter (left ankle sprain) missed his third straight game. ... The NBA fined Bogdan Bogdanovic $25,000 for kicking a ball into the stands following Wednesday&rsquo;s 108-107 home loss to Brooklyn.
&nbsp;

LeBron James scored a season-high 47 points on his 38th birthday and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 130-121.

James has season-high 47 on 38th birthday, Lakers beat Hawks

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Kristaps Porzingis had 30 points and 13 rebounds and the Washington Wizards routed the short-handed Orlando Magic 119-100 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.
Kyle Kuzma added 23 points and Rui Hachimura had 16 points and seven rebounds. The Wizards played without star guard Bradley Beal for the second straight game because of a strained hamstring.
Franz Wagner had 28 points and eight assists for Orlando, and Paolo Banchero added 21 points. The Magic had only eight players available after suspensions by the NBA in the wake of an incident in Detroit on Wednesday night.
The Wizards overcame 26 turnovers with 56% shooting and a 53-35 rebounding advantage. The Magic have lost three straight after winning eight of nine.
Wagner scored eight points on a 16-0 run that put the Magic up 32-27 early in the second quarter. Prorzingis scored 15 points in the final 8:39 of the period, leaving Washington with a 56-47 lead at the break.
Two 3-pointers by Corey Kispert and three-point plays by Porzingis and Daniel Gafford helped the Wizards expand their lead to 25 in the first six minutes of the second half.
TIP-INS
Wizards: F Taj Gibson sat out the game with a groin injury. ... The Wizards have won six straight against Orlando.
Magic: The Magic played without C Mo Wagner, G Cole Anthony, C Mo Bamba, C Wendell Carter Jr., G R.J. Hampton and G Gary Harris, all of whom were suspended for their participation in an altercation at Detroit. Wagner also will miss Orlando's next game along with three other players. 
UP NEXT
Wizards: At Milwaukee on Sunday night.
Magic: Host Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) &mdash; Kristaps Porzingis had 30 points and 13 rebounds and the Washington Wizards routed the short-handed Orlando Magic 119-100 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.
Kyle Kuzma added 23 points and Rui Hachimura had 16 points and seven rebounds. The Wizards played without star guard Bradley Beal for the second straight game because of a strained hamstring.
Franz Wagner had 28 points and eight assists for Orlando, and Paolo Banchero added 21 points. The Magic had only eight players available after suspensions by the NBA in the wake of an incident in Detroit on Wednesday night.
The Wizards overcame 26 turnovers with 56% shooting and a 53-35 rebounding advantage. The Magic have lost three straight after winning eight of nine.
Wagner scored eight points on a 16-0 run that put the Magic up 32-27 early in the second quarter. Prorzingis scored 15 points in the final 8:39 of the period, leaving Washington with a 56-47 lead at the break.
Two 3-pointers by Corey Kispert and three-point plays by Porzingis and Daniel Gafford helped the Wizards expand their lead to 25 in the first six minutes of the second half.
TIP-INS
Wizards: F Taj Gibson sat out the game with a groin injury. ... The Wizards have won six straight against Orlando.
Magic: The Magic played without C Mo Wagner, G Cole Anthony, C Mo Bamba, C Wendell Carter Jr., G R.J. Hampton and G Gary Harris, all of whom were suspended for their participation in an altercation at Detroit. Wagner also will miss Orlando's next game along with three other players.
UP NEXT
Wizards: At Milwaukee on Sunday night.
Magic: Host Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) &mdash; Kristaps Porzingis had 30 points and 13 rebounds and the Washington Wizards routed the short-handed Orlando Magic 119-100 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.
Kyle Kuzma added 23 points and Rui Hachimura had 16 points and seven rebounds. The Wizards played without star guard Bradley Beal for the second straight game because of a strained hamstring.
Franz Wagner had 28 points and eight assists for Orlando, and Paolo Banchero added 21 points. The Magic had only eight players available after suspensions by the NBA in the wake of an incident in Detroit on Wednesday night.
The Wizards overcame 26 turnovers with 56% shooting and a 53-35 rebounding advantage. The Magic have lost three straight after winning eight of nine.
Wagner scored eight points on a 16-0 run that put the Magic up 32-27 early in the second quarter. Prorzingis scored 15 points in the final 8:39 of the period, leaving Washington with a 56-47 lead at the break.
Two 3-pointers by Corey Kispert and three-point plays by Porzingis and Daniel Gafford helped the Wizards expand their lead to 25 in the first six minutes of the second half.
TIP-INS
Wizards: F Taj Gibson sat out the game with a groin injury. ... The Wizards have won six straight against Orlando.
Magic: The Magic played without C Mo Wagner, G Cole Anthony, C Mo Bamba, C Wendell Carter Jr., G R.J. Hampton and G Gary Harris, all of whom were suspended for their participation in an altercation at Detroit. Wagner also will miss Orlando's next game along with three other players.
UP NEXT
Wizards: At Milwaukee on Sunday night.
Magic: Host Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) &mdash; Kristaps Porzingis had 30 points and 13 rebounds and the Washington Wizards routed the short-handed Orlando Magic 119-100 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.
Kyle Kuzma added 23 points and Rui Hachimura had 16 points and seven rebounds. The Wizards played without star guard Bradley Beal for the second straight game because of a strained hamstring.
Franz Wagner had 28 points and eight assists for Orlando, and Paolo Banchero added 21 points. The Magic had only eight players available after suspensions by the NBA in the wake of an incident in Detroit on Wednesday night.
The Wizards overcame 26 turnovers with 56% shooting and a 53-35 rebounding advantage. The Magic have lost three straight after winning eight of nine.
Wagner scored eight points on a 16-0 run that put the Magic up 32-27 early in the second quarter. Prorzingis scored 15 points in the final 8:39 of the period, leaving Washington with a 56-47 lead at the break.
Two 3-pointers by Corey Kispert and three-point plays by Porzingis and Daniel Gafford helped the Wizards expand their lead to 25 in the first six minutes of the second half.
TIP-INS
Wizards: F Taj Gibson sat out the game with a groin injury. ... The Wizards have won six straight against Orlando.
Magic: The Magic played without C Mo Wagner, G Cole Anthony, C Mo Bamba, C Wendell Carter Jr., G R.J. Hampton and G Gary Harris, all of whom were suspended for their participation in an altercation at Detroit. Wagner also will miss Orlando's next game along with three other players.
&nbsp;

Kristaps Porzingis had 30 points and 13 rebounds and the Washington Wizards routed the Orlando Magic 119-100.

Porzingis, Wizards beat Magic 119-100 for 4th straight win

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) &mdash; Purdue guard Brandon Newman gave himself a lift with his defense.
&ldquo;My defense gave me energy and put me in a better position,&rdquo; the junior reserve said.
Newman scored 18 points to lead No. 1 Purdue to an 82-49 victory against Florida A&amp;M on Thursday.
Newman went 7 for 13 from the field, including 3 for 6 from 3-point range. He also had a career-high five blocked shots to go along with four rebounds.
&ldquo;When you are playing well as a team defensively you get more energy,&rdquo; Purdue center Zach Edey said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s out there blocking shots and looking like LeBron (James) chasing guys down.&rdquo;
Purdue coach Matt Painter said Newman&rsquo;s shooting and defense were big.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a weapon from an offensive standpoint,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s got to get comfortable in games and take what comes his way. When he starts forcing things, he puts himself in binds.&rdquo;
After missing Purdue&rsquo;s previous game due to illness, Edey had 14 points and a team-high 10 rebounds in 22 minutes. Also scoring in double figures for Purdue (13-0) was Trey Kaufman-Renn with 11 and Caleb Furst with 10.
Dimingus Stevens and Jordan Tillmon each had eight points for the Rattlers (2-9).
After leading 42-29 at halftime, the Boilermakers dominated the second half. Purdue&rsquo;s largest lead was 41 points at 80-39.
&ldquo;There wasn&rsquo;t a particular halftime message,&rdquo; Edey said. &ldquo;They were making shots that we wanted them to take. ... It was just keep playing defensively and keep rebounding.&rdquo;
The Rattlers shot just 23.1% in the second half. The Boilermakers committed just seven turnovers compared to 13 for the Rattlers.
BIG PICTURE
Florida A&amp;M: The Rattlers played a No. 1 team for the second time in the program history, also losing to No. 1 Duke in the 1999 NCAA Tournament. Duke went on to win the NCAA title. It was Florida A&amp;M&rsquo;s third consecutive loss.
Purdue: The Boilermakers remained one of three unbeaten men&rsquo;s teams in major college basketball, along with UConn and New Mexico. Purdue is 2-0 in the Big Ten.
&ldquo;Competition is going to get harder and teams are going to know what to scout,&rdquo; Purdue&rsquo;s Mason Gillis said. &ldquo;There are going to be closer games down toward the end. We&rsquo;ll find out who can play under pressure.&rdquo;
3-POINT SHOOTING STRUGGLES
The Boilermakers made just 6 of 25 3-pointers, dropping the team&rsquo;s season average to 30.5%.
&ldquo;Shots will fall. We&rsquo;ll keep shooting. We&rsquo;ll stay in the gym and just keep playing hard,&rdquo; Newman said.
UP NEXT
Florida A&amp;M: Hosts Bethune Cookman on Monday.
Purdue: Hosts Rutgers on Monday.

Newman went 7 for 13 from the field, including 3 for 6 from deep. He also had a career-high 5 blocked shots to go along with 4 rebounds.

Newman scores 18 as No. 1 Purdue beats Florida A&M 82-49

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) &mdash; Maddy Westbeld scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and No. 5 Notre Dame rallied in the fourth quarter to hold off Miami 66-63 on Thursday night.
Sonia Citron scored 13 and Olivia Miles finished with 12 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for Notre Dame. Lauren Ebo had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Irish (11-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who have won five straight.
Destiny Harden had 12 points, nine rebounds for five steals for Miami (7-6, 0-2), which has dropped three straight. Haley Cavinder also scored 12 and Lashae Dwyer added 10 for the Hurricanes, who trailed by 13 early but took a three-point lead in the opening moments of the fourth quarter.
NO. 1 SOUTH CAROLINA 76, TEXAS A&amp;M 34
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) &mdash; Zia Cooke had 14 points and South Carolina opened Southeastern Conference play with a victory over Texas A&amp;M.
Freshman reserve Talaysia Cooper had 15 points for the Gamecocks (13-0), and sophomore backup Sania Feagin scored 11 points. All-American Aliyah Boston finished with six points and five rebounds, playing just 19 minutes in the runaway win.
Sydney Bowles and Jada Malone each scored eight points for Texas A&amp;M (5-6). The injury-riddled Aggies had only eight players available.
MICHIGAN STATE 83, NO. 4 INDIANA 78
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) &mdash; Kamaria McDaniel had 24 points and Michigan State defeated previously unbeaten Indiana.
Matilda Ekh and Taiyier Parks each had 18 for the Spartans (9-5, 1-2), and DeeDee Hagemann had 15 points and eight assists.
Mackenzie Holmes had 32 points and 12 rebounds for the Hoosiers (12-1, 2-1 Big Ten), while Yarden Garzon added 17.
DUKE 72, NO. 6 NC STATE 58
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) &mdash; Celeste Taylor scored 23 points, including a big 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, and Duke beat NC State.
Elizabeth Balogun had 16 points as the Blue Devils (12-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) picked up the most significant victory in coach Kara Lawson&rsquo;s three seasons. Shayeann Day-Wilson and Kennedy Brown each scored 10 points.
Saniya Rivers had 17 points for NC State (11-2, 1-1), which had won seven straight games this season. Jakia Brown-Turner scored 12 points and Aziaha James had 10.
CLEMSON 64, NO. 7 VIRGINIA TECH 59
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) &mdash; Amari Robinson had 16 points and nine rebounds, and Clemson earned its first victory against a top-10 opponent since 2000.
Ruby Whitehorn scored 13 points for the Tigers (10-4, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), including three free throws in the final 20 seconds. Daisha Bradford had 12, and Hannah Hank finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Cayla King had 15 points and five 3-pointers in Virginia Tech&rsquo;s second loss in three games. Georgia Amoore scored 14 points for the Hokie (11-2, 1-2), and reigning ACC Player of the Year Elizabeth Kitley had 14 points and six rebounds.
NO. 9 LSU 69, NO. 24 ARKANSAS 45
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) &mdash; Angel Reese and Alexis Morris each scored 19 points to lead LSU past Arkansas in both teams&rsquo; SEC opener.
Reese, who finished with a double-double by grabbing 16 rebounds, was one of three Tigers (13-0) who had double-digit boards. Flau&rsquo;jae Johnson had 11, to go along with 10 points, and LaDazhia Williams had 15 rebounds.
Samara Spencer led the Razorbacks (13-3) as she scored a team-high 17 points on 7 of 15 shooting. The rest of the team went a combined 10 of 46 from the floor.
NO. 12 IOWA 83, PURDUE 68
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) &mdash; Caitlin Clark scored 24 points, McKenna Warnock added 19 and Iowa defeated Purdue.
Monika Czinano added 12 points to surpass 2,000 for her career, reaching that milestone for the Hawkeyes (11-3, 3-0 Big Ten Conference) one game after Clark did. Hannah Stuelke had 11 points and 10 rebounds for her first career double-double.
Lasha Petree paced the Boilermakers (10-3, 1-2) with 22 points. Cassidy Hardin and Caitlyn Harper scored 10 apiece.
FLORIDA STATE 78, NO. 13 NORTH CAROLINA 71
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) &mdash; Makayla Timpson scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Ta&rsquo;Niya Latson had 12 of her 21 points in the third quarter and Florida State beat North Carolina.
Florida State (13-2, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) avenged last season&rsquo;s 64-49 loss to North Carolina that ended a six-game winning streak in the series.
Deja Kelly scored 20 points to lead North Carolina (9-3, 0-1) in its conference opener. Alyssa Ustby added 16 points and 13 rebounds. Kennedy Todd-Williams also had 16 points to go with eight rebounds. Eva Hodgson had 12 points and seven assists.
NO. 18 ARIZONA 84, ARIZONA STATE 66
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) &mdash; Esmery Martinez finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds to power Arizona&rsquo;s win in its Pac-12 Conference opener.
Martinez sank 9 of 14 shots from the floor to help the Wildcats (11-1) shoot 55.4% overall. It was her fourth double-double of the season. Shaina Pellington added 14 points, Cate Reese finished with 13 points and Jade Loville scored 12.
Tyi Skinner made 10 of 21 shots with five 3-pointers, scoring 26 for the Sun Devils (7-5). Treasure Hunt pitched in with 13 points and six rebounds. Meg Newman had 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds off the bench.
NO. 19 GONZAGA 77, PEPPERDINE 63
MALIBU, Calif. (AP) &mdash; Kaylynne Truong hit six 3-pointers and scored 26 points, both career highs, to lead Gonzaga to its sixth-straight win.
Yvonne Ejim added 17 points and Eliza Hollingsworth had 16 and both grabbed nine rebounds for the Bulldogs (13-2, 3-0 West Coast Conference). Brynna Maxwell scored 10.
Ally Stedman led Pepperdine (6-7, 1-2) with 16 points. Theresa Grace Mbanefo added 15 points and nine rebounds and Jane Nwaba had 14 points.

A recap of women's top-25 hoops action highlights a comeback effort by the fifth-ranked Irish.

No. 5 Notre Dame rallies in fourth to beat Miami 66-63

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana's Buddy Hield made the fastest 3-pointer on record when he hit <a href="https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1608633206890455040?s=20&amp;t=NxzYIOOqV1ErGQ-63GY1xg">just three seconds into the Pacers' game</a> against Cleveland on Thursday night.
The opening tipoff was batted to Hield, who caught it behind the arc, turned and shot. The ball went through with 11:57 remaining in the first quarter, with Pacers center Myles Turner being credited with an assist.
ESPN Stats &amp; Info said the previous fastest 3-pointer in an NBA game was by Pacers Hall of Famer Reggie Miller, who made one four seconds into a game against Golden State on March 5, 2000.
Play-by-play has been recorded in the NBA since the 1996-97 season.
Hield leads the NBA in total 3-pointers made this season.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) &mdash; Indiana's Buddy Hield made the fastest 3-pointer on record when he hit <a href="https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1608633206890455040?s=20&amp;t=NxzYIOOqV1ErGQ-63GY1xg">just three seconds into the Pacers' game</a> against Cleveland on Thursday night.
The opening tipoff was batted to Hield, who caught it behind the arc, turned and shot. The ball went through with 11:57 remaining in the first quarter, with Pacers center Myles Turner being credited with an assist.
ESPN Stats &amp; Info said the previous fastest 3-pointer in an NBA game was by Pacers Hall of Famer Reggie Miller, who made one four seconds into a game against Golden State on March 5, 2000.
Play-by-play has been recorded in the NBA since the 1996-97 season.
Hield leads the NBA in total 3-pointers made this season.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) &mdash; Indiana's Buddy Hield made the fastest 3-pointer on record when he hit <a href="https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1608633206890455040?s=20&amp;t=NxzYIOOqV1ErGQ-63GY1xg">just three seconds into the Pacers' game</a> against Cleveland on Thursday night.
The opening tipoff was batted to Hield, who caught it behind the arc, turned and shot. The ball went through with 11:57 remaining in the first quarter, with Pacers center Myles Turner being credited with an assist.
ESPN Stats &amp; Info said the previous fastest 3-pointer in an NBA game was by Pacers Hall of Famer Reggie Miller, who made one four seconds into a game against Golden State on March 5, 2000.
Play-by-play has been recorded in the NBA since the 1996-97 season.
Hield leads the NBA in total 3-pointers made this season.

The opening tipoff was batted to Hield, who caught it behind the arc, turned and shot. The ball went through with 11:57 left in the first.

Pacers' Hield makes NBA's fastest three just 3 seconds into game

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton scored 29 points, Buddy Hield made a 3-pointer <a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-pacers-sports-buddy-hield-nba-basketball-15146c86e1a1c78dd90d91d57798549b">three seconds into the game</a> and added 25, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 135-126 on Thursday night.
Haliburton was 6 for 8 from 3-point range and Hield, who leads the NBA in 3-pointers, was 5 for 6. The Pacers finished 19 of 31 from beyond the arc. 
“You can't ask for much better shooting than that,” said Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith, who had 22 points. “They shoot the ball like that, it's going to be tough to beat us any night.”
Indiana trailed by seven early in the fourth quarter before rallying. Hield fed Nesmith for a go-ahead dunk to give the Pacers a 120-119 lead with 4:26 remaining. 
“This is the most fun I’ve had playing basketball in a very long time,” said Nesmith, a third-year pro acquired from Boston in the offseason.
Haliburton converted a three-point play on the next possession and the Pacers never surrendered the lead. 
“This game was about our defense, or the lack of it,” said Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff, whose team ranks No. 1 in fewest points allowed at 105.5 per game. “We decided we wanted to play Indiana Pacers basketball and that's their strength. We didn't play Cleveland Cavaliers basketball and play to our strength.”
Bennedict Mathurin scored 23 points and Myles Turner 14 as Indiana snapped a five-game losing streak against the Cavaliers, who have lost three in a row.
“Any time the ball is going into the basket like that, you feel good,” said Pacers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce, who took over after Rick Carlisle was ejected. "But (the Cavaliers) are capable of doing that. And that's scary for us.
“When the ball goes into the basket, it makes you want to play that way. We have to play that way. And Ty is our leader. He's going to set the tone and the pace for us."
All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points to lead a balanced Cleveland offense with seven double-digit scorers. Mitchell sank five of the Cavaliers' 12 3-pointers.
“We kept giving up 3s,” Bickerstaff said. “The 3-ball is the way back into the game. It’s personnel-driven, understanding the person you’re guarding, being on high alert that that’s what they are looking for. I just didn’t think we had the focus on the defensive end of the floor because we were scoring points. We have to be able to do both."
Cleveland's Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen each had 19 and All-Star guard Darius Garland finished with 18 points and eight assists.
The 3-point barrage began just three seconds in as the opening tip was batted directly to Hield, who turned and swished a shot that was the fastest 3-pointer recorded since play-by-play began in 1996-97. In the first half, the Pacers hit 9 of 15 from beyond the arc and the Cavaliers 7 of 13. The Cavaliers led 68-64 at halftime.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: Dropped to 6-10 on the road. ... Forward Cedi Osman (back) was a last-minute inactive and center Robin Lopez (illness) missed his second consecutive game.
Pacers: Carlisle was assessed two technicals and ejected with 1:29 remaining in the third quarter after arguing that an off-balance Mitchell threw the ball off the backboard to himself. ... Mathurin leads the league in bench scoring at 17.6 points per game.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Visit Chicago Bulls on Saturday.
Pacers: Host L.A. Clippers on Saturday.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) &mdash; Tyrese Haliburton scored 29 points, Buddy Hield made a 3-pointer three seconds into the game and added 25, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 135-126 on Thursday night.
Haliburton was 6 for 8 from 3-point range and Hield, who leads the NBA in 3-pointers, was 5 for 6. The Pacers finished 19 of 31 from beyond the arc.
&ldquo;You can't ask for much better shooting than that,&rdquo; said Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith, who had 22 points. &ldquo;They shoot the ball like that, it's going to be tough to beat us any night.&rdquo;
Indiana trailed by seven early in the fourth quarter before rallying. Hield fed Nesmith for a go-ahead dunk to give the Pacers a 120-119 lead with 4:26 remaining.
&ldquo;This is the most fun I&rsquo;ve had playing basketball in a very long time,&rdquo; said Nesmith, a third-year pro acquired from Boston in the offseason.
Haliburton converted a three-point play on the next possession and the Pacers never surrendered the lead.
&ldquo;This game was about our defense, or the lack of it,&rdquo; said Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff, whose team ranks No. 1 in fewest points allowed at 105.5 per game. &ldquo;We decided we wanted to play Indiana Pacers basketball and that's their strength. We didn't play Cleveland Cavaliers basketball and play to our strength.&rdquo;
Bennedict Mathurin scored 23 points and Myles Turner 14 as Indiana snapped a five-game losing streak against the Cavaliers, who have lost three in a row.
&ldquo;Any time the ball is going into the basket like that, you feel good,&rdquo; said Pacers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce, who took over after Rick Carlisle was ejected. "But (the Cavaliers) are capable of doing that. And that's scary for us.
&ldquo;When the ball goes into the basket, it makes you want to play that way. We have to play that way. And Ty is our leader. He's going to set the tone and the pace for us."
All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points to lead a balanced Cleveland offense with seven double-digit scorers. Mitchell sank five of the Cavaliers' 12 3-pointers.
&ldquo;We kept giving up 3s,&rdquo; Bickerstaff said. &ldquo;The 3-ball is the way back into the game. It&rsquo;s personnel-driven, understanding the person you&rsquo;re guarding, being on high alert that that&rsquo;s what they are looking for. I just didn&rsquo;t think we had the focus on the defensive end of the floor because we were scoring points. We have to be able to do both."
Cleveland's Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen each had 19 and All-Star guard Darius Garland finished with 18 points and eight assists.
The 3-point barrage began just three seconds in as the opening tip was batted directly to Hield, who turned and swished a shot that was the fastest 3-pointer recorded since play-by-play began in 1996-97. In the first half, the Pacers hit 9 of 15 from beyond the arc and the Cavaliers 7 of 13. The Cavaliers led 68-64 at halftime.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: Dropped to 6-10 on the road. ... Forward Cedi Osman (back) was a last-minute inactive and center Robin Lopez (illness) missed his second consecutive game.
Pacers: Carlisle was assessed two technicals and ejected with 1:29 remaining in the third quarter after arguing that an off-balance Mitchell threw the ball off the backboard to himself. ... Mathurin leads the league in bench scoring at 17.6 points per game.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Visit Chicago Bulls on Saturday.
Pacers: Host L.A. Clippers on Saturday.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Tyrese Haliburton scored 29 points, Buddy Hield added 25, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 135-126.