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

Jan 15, 2021; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates with guard Jrue Holiday (21) against the Dallas Mavericks at the Bradley Center.  Mandatory Credit: Nick Monroe/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports
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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

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots between Chicago Bulls guards Coby White (0) and Garrett Temple (17) and Thunder's George Hill (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander produced career-high point for Oklahoma City Thunder  against Chicago Bulls. AP

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

Jan 15, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) attempts a basket against Orlando Magic forward James Ennis III (11) during the third quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Jaylen Brown sunk 21 points in a win for Boston Celtics over Orlando Magic. Reuters

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

Cleveland Cavaliers' Andre Drummond (3) drives to the basket against New York Knicks' Julius Randle (30) and Reggie Bullock (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Andre Drummond dominated for the Cleveland Cavaliers against New York Knicks. AP Photo

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

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) lays the ball up as Atlanta Hawks forward Solomon Hill (18) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell lays the ball up aagainst the Atlanta Hawks. AP

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

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard dunks past Sacramento Kings guard Justin James, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Friday Jan. 15, 2021. The Clippers won 138-100. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard dunks past Sacramento Kings guard Justin James. AP

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

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket in front of Josh Hart #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Staples Center on January 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.   Harry How/Getty Images/AFP
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LeBron James drives to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans. AFP

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.