NBA highlights on Dec. 16: Bucks' 18-game winning streak ends
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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Fiserv Forum Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 16, 2019.

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Fiserv Forum Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 16, 2019.

The Bucks have little time to reflect on the end of their 18-game winning streak.

Milwaukee's impressive run was halted Monday night when Seth Curry and Kristaps Porzingis each scored 26 points to help the Dallas Mavericks hang on for a 120-116 victory even without star guard Luka Dončić.

Milwaukee, which dropped to 24-4 with its first loss since a 103-100 setback on November 8 in Utah, next hosts LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (24-3) on Thursday in a matchup of conference leaders.

"It's going to be a test for us," said Giannis Antetokounmpo, who led the Bucks with 48 points and 14 rebounds. "The Lakers are one of the best teams in the league. We've got to play good basketball. We've got to move the ball. Obviously as a team, we don't want to lose two in a row."

The winning streak was the Bucks' longest since a franchise-record 20 consecutive victories by the 1970-71 championship team that featured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, and Oscar Robertson.

Dallas led comfortably for most of the fourth quarter until the final half-minute. Tim Hardaway Jr. hit the second of two free throws to make it 119-114 with 7.6 seconds left. Antetokounmpo scored on a layup and was fouled, but missed the free throw. Sterling Brown grabbed the offensive rebound, but his putback was blocked by Porzingis.

Seth Curry #30 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 16, 2019.

Seth Curry #30 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 16, 2019.

"I'm proud of the way the guys fought to the very last second tonight," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "To find a way to be close in the fourth quarter and have an offensive rebound and give ourselves a chance, I think it's just a sign of the competitive nature of this group."

Dallas was 16 of 41 from 3-point range, including four 3s each by Curry and Porzingis. The Bucks went 11 of 41 from beyond the arc.

"I hit those two deep 3s but even then, Giannis was right there in front of me," Porzingis said. "They know we are a pretty good shooting team. But we have so many weapons and anybody on any given night can score 20-plus points. That's the dangerous thing about us. Tonight, Seth played great. It's kind of hard to play against a team that has so many options."

"I've been in this league a long time and an 18-game winning streak is a spectacular demonstration of how good a team is," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "But you're not going to win every game to finish the season. We just felt that if we came out and really concentrated on ourselves, with a pretty simple game plan, we give ourselves a chance."

Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks and Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks fight for position during the game at the Fiserv Forum Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 16, 2019.

Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks and Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks fight for position during the game at the Fiserv Forum Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 16, 2019.

Lillard converts late 3-point play, Blazers top Suns 111-110

Damian Lillard wasn't concerned when officials went to video review over his potential tying layup with 26 seconds left. Either he would be called for a charge or the Suns' Aron Baynes would be called for a block.

''I knew it was a block,'' Lillard said. ''He was moving underneath.''

Sure enough, Baynes was called for the foul and the layup counted. Lillard converted the ensuing free throw for a three-point play, the Blazers put together a final defensive stand and Portland escaped with a 111-110 win over the Suns on Monday night.

Portland led for most of the fourth quarter, but Phoenix pulled ahead 110-108 with 32 seconds left when Kelly Oubre Jr. converted a four-point play. He took an inbound pass from Ricky Rubio and nailed a turnaround 3-pointer while being fouled, then hit the free throw.

On the next possession, Lillard drove straight through the lane and made a layup while crashing into Baynes, who was trying to slide into position for the charge. Lillard made the free throw and Phoenix couldn't score on its final possession as Rubio's 3-point attempt bounced off the rim with two seconds left.

Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against Jevon Carter #4 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, December 16, 2019.

Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against Jevon Carter #4 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, December 16, 2019.

Oubre led Phoenix with 24 points. Dario Saric and Frank Kaminsky III both added 17 for the Suns, who played a second straight game without star guard Devin Booker because of his right forearm injury.

''It was an exciting game,'' Portland coach Terry Stotts said. ''I think both teams at the end could have ended up with a win and we were fortunate at the end that we made one extra play.''

Portland pulled ahead for the first time midway through the third when McCollum's 3-pointer made it 82-80. The Blazers took a 90-88 advantage into the fourth quarter.

Carmelo Anthony, who scored 23 points, hit a 3 to put the Blazers ahead 100-97 with seven minutes left. The 35-year-old also made a turnaround jumper over Oubre with less than three minutes remaining that pushed Portland's advantage to six.

Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball under pressure from Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, December 16, 2019.

Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball under pressure from Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, December 16, 2019.

''If you're going to play in high-level games, you've got to learn how to manage nights like this,'' Suns coach Monty Williams said.

The Suns grabbed an early 11-3 lead and stayed ahead for the entire first half, taking a 67-59 advantage into the break. Oubre and Saric both scored 13 points for Phoenix, while Kaminsky added 12. McCollum led the Blazers with 18.

Source(s): AP