Bucks edge Mavericks, LeBron James stars for Lakers against Pelicans: NBA round-up

A round-up from Friday night's NBA games, including a monster performance from Andre Drummond for the Cavaliers

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Milwaukee Bucks in a narrow win over the Dallas Mavericks. Reuters

Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 31 points and nine rebounds to propel the host Milwaukee Bucks to a 112-109 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.

The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player made 14 of 21 shots from the floor, though he sank just 1 of 10 attempts from the free-throw line. Milwaukee's Khris Middleton drained a pair of pivotal 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter to highlight his 25-point performance.

Jrue Holiday had 16 points and Brook Lopez added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Bucks, who overcame a 12-for-25 effort at the foul line to extend their winning streak to four games. Milwaukee also exacted a bit of revenge after being swept by Dallas in a two-game season series in 2019-20.

Luka Doncic collected 28 points and 13 assists and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 22 points for the Mavericks, who saw their season-high, four-game winning streak come to a halt.

Thunder tame Bulls in OT

Shai-Gilgeous Alexander's career-high 33 points led Oklahoma City to a stunning, come-from-behind overtime victory at Chicago.

Timely shooting from Mike Muscala (11 points) and Luguentz Dort (21 points, six steals) also helped the Thunder steal a tight victory.

The Bulls wasted a 35-point game from Zach LaVine, who is now averaging 37.5 points per game in his last four -- all losses.

Celtics smash Magic

Jaylen Brown scored 21 points to lead Boston in a home victory over Orlando.

Semi Ojeleye chipped in with 18 points, while Jeff Teague added 17, Payton Pritchard 16 and Marcus Smart 14 for the Celtics, who have won seven of their past eight games. Jayson Tatum and Robert Williams remained out for Boston after testing positive for COVID-19. The Celtics had their past three scheduled games postponed due to the virus.

The Magic were led by Aaron Gordon with 17 points. Nikola Vucevic, Cole Anthony and Dwayne Brown all scored 15 points apiece in the loss.

Drummond leads Cavaliers past Knicks

Andre Drummond put together a monster 33-point, 23-rebound performance to lead Cleveland past New York.

Drummond was joined by Cedi Osman's 25 points and Larry Nance's 14 points that helped the Cavaliers snap a three-game losing streak.

The Knicks wasted a 28-point performance from Julius Randle, while also receiving 23 points off the bench from rookie Immanuel Quickley and 20 points from RJ Barrett. The Knicks have now lost five straight.

Jazz clip Hawks

Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points in just 27 minutes to lead Utah to an easy victory over visiting Atlanta.

The Jazz received 17 points from Bojan Bogdanovic and a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double from Rudy Gobert in the win. It was Utah's fourth straight win.

Cam Reddish scored 20 points to lead the Hawks who saw star point guard Trae Young score only four points on 1 of 11 shooting.

Clippers claim easy win over Kings

Kawhi Leonard poured in 27 points to lead Los Angeles to an easy win at Sacramento.

Paul George chipped in with 26 points, while Marcus Morris added 18 off the bench for the Clippers, who won their third straight.

The Kings were led by Marvin Bagley's 20 points and Richaun Holmes' 17.

James stars in Lakers win against Pelicans

LeBron James scored 21 points and dished out 11 assists to lead Los Angeles to a rout of visiting New Orleans.

Anthony Davis put in 17 points, while Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope both added 16 for the streaking Lakers, who won their fifth straight game.

The Pelicans were happy to have Zion Williamson back from health and safety protocols, as he led the team with 21 points and 12 rebounds in a losing effort.