JIMMY Butler III scored a game-high 24 points, Brandin Podziemski returned from an injury to hit two key late 3-pointers and the host Golden State Warriors, playing without Stephen Curry, held off the Milwaukee Bucks 104-93 on Tuesday night (Wednesday in Manila).
With Curry resting his 36-year-old back and knees, Golden State rebounded from a home loss to the Denver Nuggets one night earlier to win for a 15th win in 18 games since acquiring Butler from the Miami Heat. Draymond Green chipped in with a game-high 10 rebounds to go with four assists, four blocks, two steals and three points.
Kyle Kuzma had a team-high 22 points for the Bucks, who could not overcome off shooting nights by Giannis Antetokounmpo (5-for-16, 20 points) and Damian Lillard (6-for-18, 16 points). Antetokounmpo, who did half his scoring by going 10-for-15 at the line, paced the Bucks with nine rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks.
After seeing what was once a 17-point lead disappear in the third quarter, the Warriors went in front for good by scoring the period’s last eight points. Buddy Hield sank a 26-footer 3-pointer, Jonathan Kuminga made two foul shots, and Butler, fouled on a 3-point attempt with 1.5 seconds left, nailed three free throws for a 78-76 advantage.
In other games, it was the Clippers 132, Cavs 119; Hawks 134, Hornets 102; and Celtics 104, Nets 96.
Clippers 132, Cavs 119
Ivica Zubac scored 28 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, Kawhi Leonard added 33 points and Los Angeles extended its winning streak to four games with a victory over Cleveland in Inglewood, Calif.
James Harden posted 22 points and nine assists and Bogdan Bogdanovic had 20 points while shooting 8-for-8 from the floor as the Clippers (39-30) improved their home winning streak to seven games. Zubac’s third 20-20 performance of the season came on his 28th birthday.
Max Strus scored a season-high 24 points and Donovan Mitchell added 18 points and 11 assists for the Cavaliers. Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and De’Andre Hunter each scored 17 points for Cleveland (56-12), which fell into a tie with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the best record in the NBA.
I think that Ohtani will hit for about five innings, and I want to see at least one home run.
Hawks 134, Hornets 102
Trae Young poured in 31 points and Atlanta took control early and fired away from 3-point range in romp past host Charlotte.
The Hawks’ Dyson Daniels shot 10-for-12 from the field while compiling 22 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Zaccharie Risacher notched 21 points and eight boards as Atlanta made 22 of 45 3-point shots (48.9 percent) and shot 53.8 overall from the field. Onyeka Okongwu added 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Seth Curry and DaQuan Jeffries both scored 19 points for the Hornets, who committed 17 turnovers. Marcus Garrett had 12 points, while Damion Baugh, Jusuf Nurkic, Wendell Moore Jr. and Nick Smith Jr. all had 11 points.
