NEW YORK, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Despite the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks extended their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 118-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

Bobby Portis scored a team-high 28 points, followed by Brook Lopez with 24 and Grayson Allen's 19.

The Bucks enjoyed a 22-point lead early in the second quarter but the Nets clawed back and narrowed the gap to within two points in the last minute.

However, Milwaukee held on for victory and now lead the East by 2.5 games from the Boston Celtics with a 48-18 record.

In California, the Sacramento Kings enjoyed a 21-point lead early in the third quarter against the New York Knicks but were held a tie in the fourth quarter.

The Kings pulled away to get the 122-117 win.

Elsewhere, the Memphis Grizzlies produced a first-quarter scoring spree of 48 points in the 131-110 win over the Golden State Warriors.