Result: Antetokounmpo masterclass sees Bucks bounce back to brush aside Heat

A masterclass from Giannis Antetokounmpo helped Milwaukee overturn a 20-point half-time deficit as the Bucks powered to 113-98 victory over the Miami Heat.

The Bucks trailed 62-42 at the halfway point but were rampant thereafter as they outscored their opponents 71-36, led by Antetokounmpo’s 33 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists.

Khris Middleton contributed 21 points and eight rebounds as the Eastern Conference leaders became the first team in NBA history to trail by 20 points or more at the break and still win by at least 15.

James Harden was once again to the fore for the Houston Rockets, who were out of sorts against the struggling Phoenix Suns but still managed to triumph 108-102.

The Suns have won just 16 times this season, sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference, but they held their own in a fluctuating encounter against the Rockets.

Harden’s 41 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds proved decisive as Houston claimed a ninth win from their last 10 games.

Danilo Gallinari led the way with 27 points while Montrezl Harrell added 26 as the Los Angeles Clippers put in a strong second half to overcome the Chicago Bulls 128-121.

The big talking point, though, came midway through the third period as both head coaches – Doc Rivers for the Clippers and the Bulls’ Jim Boylen – were ejected at the same time following a heated exchange on the touchline.

There were no surprises as the in-form San Antonio Spurs claimed their seventh successive win, brushing aside the slumping New York Knicks 109-83.

The Knicks have now lost their last eight matches.

Langston Galloway’s 23 points helped the Detroit Pistons see off the Los Angeles Lakers 111-97 while Kemba Walker’s 28-point haul steered the Charlotte Hornets to a 116-110 victory over the Washington Wizards.

The Philadelphia 76ers overcame the Sacramento Kings 123-114 and the Portland Trail Blazers saw off the New Orleans Pelicans 122-110.