Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Golden State Warriors 128-111 in a grueling game between the last two NBA champions.
The Warriors beat the league-leading Boston Celtics on Tuesday, but it was their 12th loss in 14 away games.
Coach Steve Kerr received a technical foul for his furious reaction after Stephen Curry appeared to be taken in the head as he made a three-point shot.
“I felt like we were on the wrong side of things to start the game,” he said.
“It must be called.”
The Warriors were 14 points behind at the start of the second quarter but briefly threatened to bring down the Bucks – whom they succeeded as NBA champions in June – as they closed within six.
But the hosts proved too strong and Kerr pulled his starters from the game in the closing stages to prepare for their trip to the Indianapolis Pacers on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, the Celtics got back on track with a 122-118 overtime win over longtime rivals Los Angeles Lakers.
Jayson Tatum scored 44 points for the visitors, who improved their NBA-leading record to 22 wins and seven losses this season.
Anthony Davis scored 37 points with 12 rebounds and LeBron James added 33 points with nine rebounds and nine assists, but the Lakers lost for the fourth time in their last five games.
The Lakers, who are 12th in the Western Conference, have come under scathing criticism from NBA great Charles Barkley.
“The Lakers stink,” he told TNT. “We have to talk about the Lakers, but the Lakers are awful.
“We’re not talking about other 12th seeds. In the East, we’re not talking about the Washington Wizards, are we?”
