Star player Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 21 points on his return from injury as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Brooklyn Nets 115-108.
The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player had missed the last two games with a hamstring problem.
Damian Lillard top-scored with 30 points and had two key steals in the final quarter as the Bucks held off a late Nets rally.
“Dame, defensively, was phenomenal all game,” said Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers.
“He’s a very competitive guy and you could see that tonight.”
The game was tied at 96-96 with less than five minutes remaining when Lillard stole the ball from Brooklyn guard Cam Thomas and began a fast counter-attack, resulting in a three-pointer by Antetokounmpo.
Another steal from Lillard with one minute 41 seconds left set up a three-pointer for Malik Beasley.
The Bucks remain second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 45-25, 10 wins behind leaders the Boston Celtics.