Suns beat Nuggets to wrap top playoff seed

Chris Paul returned from a broken right wrist to help the Phoenix Suns wrap up the top seed in the NBA playoffs with a 140-130 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.

Devin Booker led Phoenix with a season-high 49 points and Paul had 17 points — 15 of them after halftime — and 13 assists in the Suns’ seventh straight victory.

The Suns, who won 11 of the 15 games while their 12time All-Star point guard was out, lead the NBA with a 60-14 record and are trying to make the NBA Finals for a second straight season after losing to Milwaukee last year.

Nikola Jokic led Denver with 28 points. The Nuggets shot 59.3% from the floor, but Phoenix was even hotter, hitting at a 60.5% clip.

Mikai Bridges added 22 points for the Suns on 8-of-9 shooting, Bridges and Deandre Ayton have played well in Paul’s absence and Ayton had a career-high 35 points Wednesday night in a comeback victory at Minnesota. He had 16 against Denver.

GRIZZLIES 133, PACERS 103 » Desmond Bane scored 30 points, hitting 12 of 15 shots, and Memphis beat Indiana to clinch a playoff spot.

Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 20 points, going 7 of 13 from the field, and the Grizzlies shot 54%. De’Anthony Melton added 19 points, and John Konchar matched his career high with 18. Bane was 5 of 7 from outside the arc as Memphis made a seasonhigh 21 3-pointers.

BUCKS 114, WIZARDS 102 »

Jrue Holiday had 24 points and 10 assists to help short-handed Milwaukee beat Washington.

Grayson Allen added 21 points and the Bucks never trailed despite playing without either of their two All-Stars: Khris Middleton and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

PELICANS 126, BULLS 109 »

Devonte’ Graham hit five 3-pointers on his way to a season-high 30 points, CJ McCollum scored 25 points and New Orleans beat Chicago.

RAPTORS 118, CAVALIERS 104 » Pascal Siakam matched his season high with 35 points, Chris Boucher added 17 and Toronto beat Cleveland to tighten the Eastern Conference playoff race.