Loyola Chicago is next challenge for Oregon State
Nikola Jokic had 37 points and nine assists and the Denver Nuggets outlasted New Orleans in a tight fourth quarter for a 113-108 victory over the Pelicans on Friday night.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 25 points, and Jamal Murray had 23 points and 11 assists for the Nuggets. They trailed by as many as 14 points in the game and 11 in the fourth quarter, but closed on a 24-8 run.
Zion Williamson had 39 points on 16-of-19 shooting to go with 10 rebounds and two blocks for the Pelicans. But Brandon Ingram had an off-night shooting, missing 12 of 17 shots, including a 3-point attempt from the corner that could have tied it in the final minute.
Eric Bledsoe had 16 points and nine assists, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 14 points for New Orleans. But each time the Pelicans showed signs of pulling away in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets responded.
When New Orleans took a 100-89 lead, Jokic hit a floater to ignite a 7-0 surge that ended with Murray’s steal and layup as he was fouled by Ingram.
After Williamson’s layup put the Pelicans up 102-96, Denver tied it with consecutive 3s by Porter and Paul Millsap.
CELTICS 122, BUCKS 114 >> Jayson Tatum scored 34 points, Marcus Smart had 23 and Boston beat Milwaukee to snap the Bucks’ eight-game winning streak and spilt the two-game series. The Celtics, who led 60-55 at the half, hit nine of 14 3-pointers in the third quarter to push the lead to 103-89 entering the final period.
Bryn Forbes’ 3-pointer pulled Milwaukee to 11297, but newly acquired Moe Wagner and Smart countered from beyond the arc to extend the lead to 118-97.
TIMBERWOLVES 107, ROCKETS 101 >> Karl-Anthony Towns had 29 points and 16 rebounds, and Juancho Hernangomez had 19 points off the bench as Minnesota beat Houston. John Wall had 14 points and a season-high 15 assists for Houston. Christian Wood scored 24 and Ben McLemore added a season-high 21 points on a season-best seven 3-pointers for the rebuilding Rockets.
TRAIL BLAZERS 112, MAGIC 105>> Orlando Magic got a look at its harsh, new reality a night after trading away the core of the ins a loss to Portland, which played without injured star guard Damian Lillard. Newly acquired guard Norman Powell scored 22 points and hit five 3-pointers in his Portland debut, and C.J. McCollum scored seven of his 22 in the fourth quarter.
SUNS 104, RAPTORS 100 >> Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton each scored 19 points and the Phoenix Suns held off the Toronto Raptors 104-100 on Friday night despite not making a field goal in the last 3:50. Paul and Devin Booker converted four free throws in the final 42 seconds. Booker had 16 points to help the Suns improve to 30-14.
HORNETS 110, HEAT 105 >> Malik Monk scored 32 points, Terry Rozier had 26 points and a careerhigh 11 assists. and Charlotte handed Miami its sixth straight loss.
CAVS BUY OUT DRUMMOND, CENTER EYES CONTENDER >> Center Andre Drummond isnowafreeagentandcan sign with a contending team after reaching a buyout with the Cavaliers.
Drummond, who hasn’t played since mid-February, began negotiating terms of the buyout with the Cavs on Thursday after the club didn’t trade the 27-year-old before the deadline.
GREEN HELPS BEAT FORMER TEAM >> Danny Green hit eight 3-pointers and scored 28 points against his former team, and the Philadelphia 76ers weathered host Los Angeles’ late rally for their fourth straight victory, 109101 over the slumping Lakers on Thursday night.
Seth Curry scored 19 points and Tobias Harris added 17 for the Eastern Conference-leading Sixers, who have won 10 of 11 overall and seven of eight without injured All-Star Joel Embiid.