NBA: Bucks thwart Lakers comeback bid, win in LA

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 21 points and made two key defensive plays in the closing seconds as the visiting Milwaukee Bucks finished off a 105-101 victory Friday over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, Kyle Kuzma had 13 against his former team and Bobby Portis had 11 points with 12 rebounds as the Bucks improved to 2-1 on a four-game road trip. Milwaukee is 5-2 since Dec. 27.

LeBron James scored 26 points with nine rebounds and 10 assists, while Luka Doncic scored 24 points with nine rebounds and nine assists as the Lakers dropped to 4-6 since Dec. 20. Doncic was 4 of 6 from 3-point range and 4 of 19 on two-point shots.

Jake LaRavia scored 13 points for Los Angeles, which shot 42.9% from the floor, including 39.6% in the second half.

After heading into the fourth facing an 86-77 deficit, the Lakers pulled within 88-86 with 8:27 remaining on a Dalton Knecht layup off a behind-the-back pass from James.

A James fadeaway jumper with 6:50 remaining later tied the score 90-90 and James added a layup off after stealing the ball for a 92-90 lead with 6:02 on the clock. It was the first Los Angeles lead since 30-29 early in the second quarter.

Milwaukee trailed until Porter's layup tied the game 98-98 with 2:00 remaining and a Myles Turner 3-pointer gave them a 101-98 lead with 1:36 left. LaRavia tied it 101-101 on his own 3-pointer with 1:22 left.

Antetokounmpo blocked a James layup attempt with 39 seconds remaining before Porter was fouled on a 3-point attempt. Doncic fouled out on the play. Porter made two of the three free throws and Antetokounmpo stole the ball from James in the closing seconds to seal the victory.

The Bucks led by as many as 12 points in the first half and took a 61-52 lead into halftime after shooting 58.1% from the floor. Antetokounmpo and Porter each scored 12 points in the first half for Milwaukee, while James scored 13 for Los Angeles, which shot 46.5%.

--Field Level Media/Reuters