Cavaliers take on Grizzlies in NBA action.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — LeBron James had 18 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in his 11th triple-double of the season, and the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled away after a slow start to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 112-89 on Friday night.
George Hill also scored 18 points, while Larry Nance Jr. finished with 15 and Jordan Clarkson had 14 as the newcomers had good nights in the Cavaliers' fifth win in the last six games.
Tyreke Evans and JaMychal Green each had 15 points for Memphis, with Evans also dishing out 10 assists and Green grabbing 10 rebounds. Marc Gasol had 14 points and nine rebounds.
Cleveland trailed by double digits early, but outscored Memphis 58-40 in the second half, sending the Grizzlies to their eighth straight loss.
James was already under triple-double watch at halftime with 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Hill had 13 points as the Cavaliers erased a 13-point lead in the first half to carry a 54-49 lead into the break.
James reached his triple-double with about 4 minutes left in the third, leading to a 3-pointer by Cedi Osman. That was part of Cleveland outscoring Memphis 31-22 in a foul-filled third quarter, building the lead to double digits and holding an 85-71 advantage into the fourth.
Memphis never threatened the rest of the way.
NUGGETS 122, SPURS 119
DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists before fouling out, Wilson Chandler had 18 points and a season-high 16 rebounds, and the Nuggets beat the Spurs
Jokic has a triple-double in three straight games and six this season, but didn't stick around for the finish.
He was called for five fouls in the fourth quarter and fouled out on a charge with 1:46 left.
Gary Harris scored 23 points to help Denver win its fourth straight and seventh in its last eight.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 36 points and Patty Mills scored 20 for San Antonio.
The Spurs lost for the sixth time in seven games despite the return of Aldridge, who missed the last two games before the All-Star break to rest his sore right knee.
He looked strong Friday, hitting 13 of 23 shots and 12 of 14 free throws. The Spurs rallied from down nine in the fourth to take a two-point lead late in the game. They were 14 of 17 from the line in the fourth quarter but couldn't hold on.
With the game tied at 114, Harris made a layup to put Denver up for good. Mills made a free throw and Harris scored on a step-back jumper and then a dunk with 45 seconds left to make it 120-115.