NBA roundup: Pistons beat Lakers, Cavs beat Bucks again to stay perfect

Darius Garland scored 39 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a late surge from the Milwaukee Bucks, securing a 116-114 victory on Monday and improving their flawless NBA record to 8-0.

Garland executed a step-back three-pointer to give Cleveland a 113-111 lead with 45 seconds remaining, subsequently assisting Jarrett Allen for a crucial layup. The Cavaliers, who had a lead of up to 19 points in the second quarter, matched the franchise's best start to a season, previously achieved in 1976.

"It's challenging to secure one win, so achieving eight is remarkable," Garland remarked. "I am pleased with our eight wins, and we must continue this momentum."

The Bucks, missing two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo due to an adductor strain, suffered their sixth consecutive defeat, following a narrow one-point loss to the Cavaliers at home on Saturday.

Milwaukee's point guard Damian Lillard contributed 14 of his 36 points during the third quarter, helping the Bucks take a 91-89 lead heading into the final period.

They extended their lead to eight points midway through the fourth quarter, but a three-pointer from Garland sparked a 10-0 scoring run that put the Cavaliers ahead by two. Lillard briefly regained the lead for Milwaukee, but the Cavaliers ultimately prevailed.

Evan Mobley added 17 points, while Allen recorded 14 points, 15 rebounds, and a crucial block on Lillard with 8.8 seconds remaining, securing the victory.

"We had to compete for the full 48 minutes," Garland stated. "We anticipated their increased aggression in the second half. It was a commendable team effort."

In another notable game, the Detroit Pistons achieved an upset against the Los Angeles Lakers, winning 115-103.

In Detroit, Cade Cunningham recorded 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, marking the third triple-double of his career, while Jaden Ivey contributed 26 points, leading the Pistons to their third victory of the season.

Anthony Davis recorded 37 points for the Lakers but seemed to be affected by a left foot or ankle injury during the fourth quarter. Despite this, he remained in the game and executed an alley-oop dunk that reduced the Pistons' lead to five points with 4:10 remaining, although Detroit managed to extend their advantage once more.

LeBron James contributed 20 points along with eight rebounds and 11 assists; however, the Pistons took control in the first quarter and maintained their lead throughout the match.

The Golden State Warriors celebrated the return of Stephen Curry, who had been sidelined for three games due to injury, with a 125-112 victory over the Wizards in Washington.

The Warriors maintained their lead throughout the game, with Curry scoring a team-high 24 points in his first appearance since sustaining a left ankle injury on October 27.

The reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, decisively defeated the Hawks 123-93 in Atlanta.

Jayson Tatum was the standout performer for Boston, scoring 28 points, while Derrick White contributed 21 points, as the Celtics continued to cope with the absence of injured star Jaylen Brown.

In Phoenix, Kevin Durant netted 35 points, including a crucial driving layup with 24 seconds remaining, which secured the game-winning basket in the Suns' 118-116 triumph over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Six players from Phoenix scored in double figures, as the rising Suns disrupted nine-time All-Star Paul George's injury-delayed debut with Philadelphia, following his off-season signing as a free agent.

In other news, the Oklahoma City Thunder remained the only unbeaten team in the Western Conference, defeating the Orlando Magic 102-86 to improve their record to 7-0.

Jalen Williams scored 23 points, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 21, marking the fifth occasion this season that the Thunder held their opponent to fewer than 95 points.

Domantas Sabonis emerged as the hero for Sacramento in Miami, securing an offensive rebound and executing the game-winning put-back basket with just seven-tenths of a second left in the Kings' 111-110 victory over the Heat.

In Denver, NBA MVP Nikola Jokic delivered a triple-double with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists, leading the Nuggets to a narrow 121-119 win against the Toronto Raptors.

The Utah Jazz, having commenced the season with a six-game losing streak, secured their inaugural victory by defeating the Bulls in Chicago with a score of 135-126.

SportsLigue