Nets beaten in Irving's second game back, Giannis' Bucks stung by Hornets

Kyrie Irving finished with 22 points in his second game back but could not inspire the Brooklyn Nets to victory as they went down to a depleted Portland Trail Blazers 114-108 on Monday.

Anfernee Simons starred with 23 points, six rebounds and 11 assists for the Blazers who were missing Damian Lillard (abdomen).

The Nets were also without James Harden (knee), but had Kevin Durant (28 points, 10 rebounds, five assists) and Irving (22 points, eight rebounds, four assists) on court.

Durant's points return marks 19 straight games with 20 or more points, which is the second-longest streak of 20-point games in franchise history.

The defeat means the Nets are 25-14 and second in the east while the Blazers improve to 16-24.

Anfernee Simons propels the @trailblazers to victory with 23 PTS, 6 REB and a career-high 11 AST! Robert Covington: 21 PTS, 3 STL, 3 BLK, 5 3PM Ben McLemore: 20 PTS, 5 REB, 5 3PM Kevin Durant: 28 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST pic.twitter.com/YdZYnLaffr

— NBA (@NBA) January 11, 2022

Giannis cannot lift Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points with 13 rebounds and eight assists but it was not enough as the Milwaukee Bucks lost their second straight game, going down 103-99 to the Charlotte Hornets. Khris Middleton had 27 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists for the Bucks.

First draft pick Cade Cunningham scored a career-high 29 points to lead the Detroit Pistons to an upset 126-116 win over the Utah Jazz, who were without Rudy Gobert again.

Joel Embiid scored 31 points with eight rebounds and six assists for the Philadelphia 76ers who beat the Houston Rockets 111-91.

New career-high for the rook @BELFORGroup | @CadeCunningham_ pic.twitter.com/FJo99HcUH7

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) January 11, 2022

Tatum cool as Celtics win in OT

Jayson Tatum went zero-of-seven from beyond the arc and shot at 33 percent from the field for his 24 points as the Boston Celtics edged the Indiana Pacers 101-98 in over-time. Domantas Sabonis had a triple-double for the Pacers.