DeMar DeRozan had 31 points, Malik Monk added 28 points and nine assists and the Sacramento Kings beat the Houston Rockets 132-127 on Thursday night. Monk made the last four free throws for Kings. They improved to 21-20 with their eighth victory in nine games.

DeRozan led the way for the Kings and came through in the clutch with a couple of key buckets down the stretch. This was the second time he recorded at least 30 points in his last five games, a span in which he's averaging a robust 27.2 points per game while shooting 40 percent from three-point range.

There is nearly nothing better for professional athletes than to garner the respect of their peers. The mutual respect between Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard and Sacramento Kings star DeMar DeRozan was ever present even though they were set to line up on opposing teams for their Tuesday night clash against each other,

DeMar DeRozan never had a hard time defining himself in Chicago. That was true even as he returned to the United Center in a black and purple jersey on Sunday, helming the Sacramento Kings to a 124-119 win in his first game against the Bulls since leaving the organization in free agency last summer.

Toronto will always be No. 1, first of all,” DeRozan said, smiling. “But, I’ve got to put Chicago second because, mentally, of the space I was in after I got traded (to San Antonio). San Antonio

Since DeRozan left Chicago, the Bulls have seen two-time NBA All-Star Zach LaVine take his place as the team's leader. After playing just 25 games last season, LaVine has taken his game to the next level, proving it against his former teammate by dropping 36 points in Sunday's loss.

DeMar DeRozan had 33 points, Malik Monk added 26 points and nine assists and the Sacramento Kings beat the Houston Rockets 132-127 on Thursday night.

DeMar DeRozan scored 28, De'Aaron Fox 20 and Keon Ellis 18 for Sacramento. Domantas Sabonis had 16 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

CHICAGO — DeMar DeRozan raised his arms and waved to the roaring crowd following a video tribute during a timeout. The six-time All-Star made a triumphant return to Chicago on Sunday.

Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds as Milwaukee ended Sacramento's seven-game winning streak.

Milwaukee took charge of this game early with a 21-2 run, led by double digits midway through the first quarter and it never got closer, with the Bucks winning 130-115. Damian Lillard added 24 points, Brook Lopez 21 and A.J. Green 16.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds for his 50th career triple-double as the Milwaukee Bucks beat Sacramento 130-115 on Tuesday (Monday in Manila) to snap the Kings' seven-game win streak.