Pelle Larsson scores 28, Bam Adebayo adds 21 and Heat top Bucks 112-105 for 7th consecutive win

MIAMI (AP) — Bam Adebayo scored 21 points in the game following his 83-point performance, Pelle Larsson had a career-high 28 points and the Miami Heat beat the Milwaukee Bucks 112-105 on Thursday night for their season-best seventh consecutive victory.

Adebayo scored 12 of his points in the fourth quarter for the Heat, who remained No. 6 in the Eastern Conference — just percentage points behind No. 5 Orlando, which has won six straight. The Heat and Magic meet on Saturday night.

Kasparas Jakučionis scored 18 points, Davion Mitchell scored 13 and Kel'el Ware grabbed 13 rebounds for Miami.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 31 points for the Bucks, who got 19 points from Bobby Portis Jr. and a 16-point, 10-assist game from Ryan Rollins.

Antetokounmpo had a wide-open 3-point try from the top of the key that would have tied the game with 52 seconds left, but it rimmed out. Larsson controlled the rebound, then made a 3-pointer of his own 24 seconds later for a six-point lead — essentially sealing the win.

Miami again was without Norman Powell (groin), Andrew Wiggins (toe), Tyler Herro (quad) and Nikola Jovic (back).

The Bucks — somewhat unbelievably, given how their season has gone — had nobody out with injuries. They did see starting guard Ousmane Dieng leave early with an illness, but nobody was hurt for the first time since opening night.

“We’ve had the starting group that we’ve had to start the season once," Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. "And that was for five minutes. ... It's just one of those years. I still wish we could have figured it out. At this point, we just haven’t been able to and it’s tough.”

The Bucks have now dropped seven of their last eight.

Bucks: Visit Atlanta on Saturday.

Heat: Host Orlando on Saturday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) and Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks up at the score board during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) aims to score as Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) and Heat forward Simone Fontecchio (0) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket as Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

TORONTO (AP) — Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews left Thursday night against Anaheim after a knee-on-knee hit from Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas.

Trying to make a move around Gudas in the slot in the second period of Toronto's 6-4 victory, Matthews stook a direct blow to his left leg and crashed to the ice. The U.S. Olympic captain stayed down before being helped to the locker room.

Gudas, the bruising Czech defender whose hit ended Canadian captain Sidney Crosby’s Olympics in the quarterfinals, was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct.

Matthews snapped a 12-game goal drought earlier in the period on a power play. The center has 27 goals and 26 assists in 60 games this season.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews, center, is helped off the ice after being injured by Anaheim Ducks Radko Gudas during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews (34) and Anaheim Ducks Radko Gudas (7) lay on the ice after colliding during second period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews (34) is helped off the ice after being injured by Anaheim Ducks Radko Gudas during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews, left, is injured by Anaheim Ducks Radko Gudas during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews (34) is injured by Anaheim Ducks Radko Gudas (7) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)