Antetokounmpo returns, lifts Bucks past Clippers

MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 23 points in his return after missing six games with a strained calf and the Milwaukee Bucks rallied for a 116-110 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

Antetokounmpo was on a minutes restriction and played just under 24 minutes, leaving for good with 6:27 remaining as the Bucks trailed 101-96. Milwaukee then completed its comeback from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit with Antetokounmpo on the bench.

Brook Lopez scored 22 points and put the Bucks ahead for good by converting a three-point play with 3:02 remaining.

Kawhi Leonard had 25 points, James Harden added 24 and Ivica Zubac had 20 points and 15 rebounds for the Clippers, who played without Norman Powell due to knee soreness.

Milwaukee was missing Bobby Portis, who began serving a 25-game suspension after testing positive for the painkiller Tramadol, a violation of the league's anti-drug program. Portis said he took the Tramadol by mistake.

Pacers 127, Grizzlies 113

In Indianapolis, Tyrese Haliburton scored 22 points and Myles Turner had 17 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high seven blocks to help the Indiana Pacers pull away from the Memphis Grizzlies.

Indiana missed its first seven shots and first eight 3-pointers in its first game since the All-Star break and still managed to score a season-high 78 points in the first half. Seven Pacers scored in double digits and Haliburton had nine assists.

Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 23 points and seven assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 18 points and seven rebounds, while Ja Morant had 12 points for Memphis. Former Purdue star Zach Edey, the two-time NCAA Player of the Year, had five points and 11 rebounds in his first NBA game in Indiana.

Memphis took a 20-7 lead midway through the first quarter, but the Pacers charged back fast in the second, taking their first lead at 48-46 before Turner scored the first 12 points in a 23-4 run that staked Indiana to a 78-50 halftime lead.

The Grizzlies closed to 91-87 in the third quarter, but Indiana scored seven straight and was never seriously challenged again.

Cavaliers 110, Nets 97

In New York, Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points and three Cleveland teammates scored in double figures as the Cavaliers beat the Brooklyn Nets.

Darius Garland scored 18 points, Evan Mobley added 18 points and 13 rebounds and Jarrett Allen finished with 16 points and 20 rebounds for Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland, which improved to 45-10.

Cam Johnson led Brooklyn with 18 points. Keon Johnson scored 16 points, Trendon Watford finished with 13 points off the bench and Ziaire Williams and Jalen Wilson each scored 10.

Celtics 124, 76ers 104

In Philadelphia, Payton Pritchard made eight 3-pointers and scored 28 points, Jayson Tatum finished with his fourth career triple-double, and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers.

Tatum had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Jaylen Brown added 20 points, Kristaps Porzingis scored 17, and Derrick White had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who have won eight of nine.

Paul George scored 17 points to lead the 76ers. Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 16 apiece. The Sixers have lost six straight and eight of nine, falling a season-worst 15 games under.500.