DENVER — Nikola Jokic recorded 25 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, finishing an assist shy of his 13th triple-double of the season, to help lead the Denver Nuggets to a 117-109 victory against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.
Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray matched Jokic with 25 points apiece for the Nuggets, who shot a season-high 64.8% from the field and had all five starters finish in double figures. Aaron Gordon added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, who improved to 17-4 at home this season.
Jokic made 12 of his 13 field-goal attempts. The two-time NBA MVP is shooting 81% (85 of 105) from the field over his past nine games.
The offensive output was enough to overcome a sloppier-than-usual performance for the reigning NBA champions, who finished with a season-worst 21 turnovers and allowed 14 offensive rebounds, off of which the Pacers got 20 second-chance points.
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The victory was Denver's 14th in its past 18 games. Indiana, which had won nine of its past 11, fell to 2-2 since losing star Tyrese Haliburton to a strained left hamstring. Indiana was also without forward Aaron Nesmith, who's making 46.6% of his 3-pointers this season.
BUCKS 143, KINGS 142 (OT): Damian Lillard swished a 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime to give Milwaukee a stunning victory over visiting Sacramento, which led by four late in OT. Lillard led the Bucks with 29 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo added a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
TIMBERWOLVES 109, CLIPPERS 105: Anthony Edwards scored 20 of his 33 points in the third quarter, and Rudy Gobert had 15 points and 18 rebounds to help Minnesota cool off visiting Los Angeles. Kawhi Leonard had 26 points and nine rebounds to steer the Clippers, who had won 17 of their past 20 games and eight of nine.
HEAT 104, HORNETS 87: Bam Adebayo had 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, helping Miami beat visiting Charlotte. Tyler Herro added 21 points for the Heat, who went 11 for 25 from 3-point range while completing a four-game regular-season sweep of the Hornets. Terry Rozier led Charlotte with 26 points.
SUNS 127, TRAIL BLAZERS 116: Devin Booker had 34 points, and Phoenix held off host Portland. Bradley Beal added 23 points, Kevin Durant had 21 and Grayson Allen 20. Rookie Scoot Henderson had a career-high 33 points and nine assists for the short-handed Trail Blazers.
