Nikola Jokic led Denver Nuggets to a narrow two-point win over Phoenix Suns in Phoenix on Tuesday night. Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 17 rebounds and tied a season high with 17 assists as Nuggets won 125-123.
Jokic made the go-ahead basket, knocking down a 12-foot jumper with 11.5 seconds left. Phoenix’s Devin Booker got a good look at a potential winning 3-pointer, but it bounced off the rim. The Suns trailed 117-109 with 3:19 left but methodically worked their way back. Booker made a tough jumper in the lane to tie the game at 123 with 30.2 seconds remaining. He had 22 points and eight assists.
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Jokic had his NBA-leading 29th triple-double of the season by early in the third quarter. The three-time MVP shot 9 of 16 from the field and delivered several pinpoint passes, including one that went the full length of the court for a layup by Christian Braun.
Cavaliers prevail over Magic
Donovan Mitchell scored 42 points and James Harden added 26 to the total as Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Orlando Magic 136-131 in Cleveland to extend their winning streak to four games. It is Mitchell’s sixth game with at least 40 points this season, tied for fourth-most in the league.
Mitchell also continued his mastery of the Magic. It was his third 40-point game in 23 regular-season meetings against Orlando. He is averaging 27.2 against the Magic, the sixth-highest scoring average of any player in NBA history against Orlando.
Harden, who was scoreless in the first half of Saturday’s game at New Orleans, had 22 points and three 3-pointers in the first half as the Cavaliers had a 72-68 lead at halftime. It was his most points in the first two quarters since being acquired by the Cavaliers.
Evan Mobley had 19 points for Cleveland, making all eight of his shots from the field, along with nine rebounds and six assists.
New York Knicks down New Orleans Pelicans
New York Knicks defeated New Orleans Pelicans 121-116 for their seventh straight victory. Jalen Brunson scored 32 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, to steer Knicks to a comfortable win.
Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby each added 21 points for the Knicks (48-25), who pulled within percentage points of the Boston Celtics (47-24) for second place in the Eastern Conference. Towns also grabbed 14 rebounds.
But it was Brunson who made the difference for the Knicks in a game that was close throughout the second half. He scored 10 straight points for New York midway through the fourth quarter, including back-to-back baskets after the Pelicans had cut it to 109-107 with 4 1/2 minutes remaining.
Zion Williamson scored 22 points and Jeremiah Fears had 21 for the Pelicans, who have lost two in a row after a three-game winning streak.
Hornets rout Kings 134-90
Charlotte Hornets routed Sacramento Kings 134-90 at home for their fourth straight victory. Coby White finished with 27 points. LaMelo Ball had 20 points on six 3s and Moussa Diabate added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Hornets (38-34), who pulled within two games of the Atlanta Hawks for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Daeqwon Plowden had 22 points and ex-Hornet Malik Monk had a career-high 14 assists for the Kings (19-54). Kon Knueppel added four 3s for the Hornets as the rookie from Duke moved into second place in franchise history for 3s made in a season with 247. He needs 14 to pass Kemba Walker, now a player enhancement coach with the Hornets.
Charlotte raced to a 72-47 lead at halftime, shooting 13 of 29 from beyond the arc with Ball and White leading the way with four each at the midway point.
