CLEVELAND -- LeBron James scored 33 points after sitting out a game and Tristan Thompson made two huge plays in the final minute, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 100-96 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
James was rested on Sunday by coach Tyronn Lue and the Cavs were lethargic in a 113-99 loss at Washington. But with James back on the floor, Cleveland played with much more energy and again looked like a team with NBA championship aspirations.
Matthew Dellavedova hit a tying 3-pointer for the Cavs with 1:13 left before Thompson made it 96-94 with a layup. Thompson then blocked a shot by Indiana's George Hill with 18 seconds left.
Kyrie Irving made four free throws in the last eight seconds to put away the Pacers. Irving finished with 22 points and Thompson added 11 rebounds.
Monta Ellis scored 28 points and Paul George had 23 for the Pacers, who lost their third straight but played much better than in a loss to Portland on Sunday.
Following Cleveland's lackluster loss at Washington, guard J.R. Smith criticized his teammates for not playing harder. The Cavs responded with a solid all-around effort but were pushed to the final seconds by the Pacers, who had three points taken away in the fourth quarter (see full recap).
Antetokounmpo notches triple-double in Bucks' win
MILWAUKEE -- Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his second career triple-double with 18 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Milwaukee Bucks outlasted the Houston Rockets for a 128-121 win on Monday night.
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Jabari Parker scored a career-high 36 points for Milwaukee, and Khris Middleton had 30 points.
The Bucks led 125-112 with 2:29 to go, but the Rockets responded with a 9-0 run. After forcing a turnover, Houston's Trevor Ariza was whistled for a 5-second violation on inbounds pass with 20 seconds remaining.
It was a wild ending to a run and gun-style game that otherwise featured alley-oop dunks, deep 3s and little defense.
Dwight Howard had 30 points and 13 rebounds for Houston, while Ariza had 20 points and 11 assists (see full recap).
Celtics top Jazz for 11th straight home victory
BOSTON -- Jae Crowder had 22 points, and the Boston Celtics extended their home win streak to 11 with a 100-95 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night.
Isaiah Thomas added 18 points and nine assists. Avery Bradley also finished with 18 points.
Boston trailed for most of the game, but found its footing in the opening minutes of the fourth and used a 9-3 run to take its first lead of the second half.
The fourth quarter featured eight more lead changes, but the Celtics went in front for good on a 3-pointer by Crowder with less than a minute to play.
Trey Lyles had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Jazz. Shelvin Mack added 18 points. Gordon Hayward finished with 16.
Utah has lost three straight (see full recap).