Lillard’s Dominance Propels Bucks Over Heat
Damian Lillard scored 37 points and delivered 12 assists, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 106-103 victory over the Miami Heat in an NBA Cup game. Lillard shot an impressive 10-of-17 from the field, including 8-of-13 from beyond the arc, as the Bucks claimed their fifth consecutive win.
The Bucks played without Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee swelling) and Khris Middleton (ankle surgery), but Lillard’s heroics proved sufficient.
Miami’s Jimmy Butler paced his team with 23 points, while Tyler Herro added 18. Terry Rozier, returning from a foot injury, contributed 17 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting.
Sengun’s Triple-Double Lifts Rockets in Overtime
Alperen Sengun registered 22 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds as the Houston Rockets edged the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-111 in overtime in Minneapolis.
Fred VanVleet scored 27 points and added 11 assists, while Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. combined for 41 points to help Houston clinch the West Group A title and advance to the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards recorded 29 points and 10 rebounds but missed a potential game-winner at the end of regulation. Julius Randle and Naz Reid chipped in with 21 and 19 points, respectively, for the Timberwolves, who dropped to 1-2 in group play.
Booker Shines as Suns Snap Losing Streak
Devin Booker had 26 points and 10 assists, and the Phoenix Suns cruised to a 127-100 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers to snap a five-game losing streak.
The Suns welcomed back Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, who contributed 23 points each in their returns from calf injuries.
For the Lakers, Anthony Davis had 25 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks, while LeBron James narrowly missed a triple-double with 18 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds. Despite James tying Kyle Korver for seventh place on the all-time 3-point list, the Lakers dropped their third straight game.
Bulls Overwhelm Wizards in Second Quarter
The Chicago Bulls used a dominant second quarter, outscoring the Washington Wizards 40-18, en route to a 127-108 NBA Cup victory.
Coby White led Chicago with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic posted a double-double with 19 points and 12 boards. Zach LaVine added 18 points, including four 3-pointers.
The struggling Wizards, who lost their 12th straight game, were led by Kyle Kuzma with 23 points and seven rebounds. Rookie Alexandre Sarr added 20 points and seven boards.
Wembanyama’s 34 Powers Spurs Over Jazz
Victor Wembanyama scored 34 points, including 24 in the first half, as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Utah Jazz 128-115 in an NBA Cup West Group B matchup.
The Spurs, who improved to 2-1 in group play, got a strong showing from Stephon Castle, who tied his career high with 23 points. San Antonio’s four-game win streak is their best this season.
Keyonte George led Utah with 26 points, while John Collins and Collin Sexton each scored 20. The Jazz, now 0-3 in group play, have lost five of their past six games.
