Bucks hold on to beat Wizards

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Kyle Kuzma scored 19 points in his return to Washington, and the Milwaukee Bucks overcame Giannis Antetokounmpo's foul trouble to beat the Wizards, 104-101, on Friday (Saturday in Manila).

Kuzma was traded from Washington to Milwaukee earlier this month. Khris Middleton went to the Wizards in that deal, and he finally played for his new team for the first time, scoring 12 points. Marcus Smart — acquired by Washington from Memphis — also made his Wizards debut and scored five.

The game came down to a desperation three-point attempt by Middleton in the final seconds that missed badly.

Antetokounmpo scored 18 points in limited playing time before fouling out with 3:36 remaining. He picked up two early fouls in the first, and his fourth came with 8:11 left in the third. Milwaukee left him in until he was whistled for foul No. 5 with 5:41 to go in the third.

That foul led to two Washington free throws that cut Milwaukee's lead to five. Antetokounmpo sat out for the next 11:59, and when he finally returned, the lead was 11.

Rookie Alex Sarr scored a career-high 22 points for Washington.

Bucks: This was the Bucks' first game since losing Bobby Portis Jr. to a drug suspension. The Bucks were also without Damian Lillard (hamstring) and with Antetokounmpo in foul trouble, it wasn't a shock that this game was a struggle.

Wizards: NBA-worst Washington stayed competitive despite woeful shooting nights by Kyshawn George (1 of 11) and Jordan Poole (3 of 11).

With Milwaukee clinging to a one-point lead, Brook Lopez drew a foul call with 38.5 seconds left and made both free throws to make it 104-101.

Milwaukee outscored Washington, 50-34, in the paint.

Both teams are back in action on Sunday. Milwaukee hosts Miami and the Wizards play at Orlando.

In Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points, Evan Mobley added 21, and the Cleveland Cavaliers bullied the New York Knicks from the start, winning 142-105 in a matchup of two of the Eastern Conference's top teams.

Only the Cavs looked elite, winning their sixth straight and improving the NBA's best record to 46-10. Cleveland has won 34 games by double digits.

Jalen Brunson scored 26 points and Karl-Anthony Towns' 23 for the Knicks, who beat Chicago in overtime on Thursday in their first game back from the All-Star break.

New York couldn't use a back-to-back as any excuse as the Cavs won in Brooklyn a night earlier. It was the Knicks' most-lopsided loss this season.

Cleveland got a scare in the first half when All-Star guard Darius Garland hit his head on the floor while taking an awkward fall. Garland, who missed significant time last season with a broken jaw, stayed in the game.

The Cavs played most of the second half without center Jarrett Allen, who injured his right hand. X-rays were negative.

Knicks: New York was without versatile swingman Josh Hart, who missed his second straight game with a sore right knee.

Cavaliers: Dean Wade's return from injury makes Cleveland as healthy as it has been in months. Wade gives coach Kenny Atkinson defensive depth and versatility.