Nuggets’ win streak halted at 7 by Hornets
Charlotte’s Nic Batum knew what was coming when teammate Tony Parker raced down the court with a head of steam on a fast break.
Parker stopped momentarily, planted his right foot, then spun 360 degrees to avoid a defender and scored on a layup on the other side of the rim.
Parker, 36, proved again he can still make some pretty slick plays and is a valuable asset down the stretch of tight games, scoring 19 points to help the host Hornets snap the Denver Nuggets’ seven-game winning streak with a 113-107 victory on Friday night.
Kemba Walker had 21 points and eight assists, Marvin Williams added 14 points and 10 rebounds and the Hornets picked up their first win this season against a Western Conference opponent.
“I’ve seen that move so many times,” Batum said. “I kind of laughed when he did it. I told him, ‘I’ve been waiting for that move.’ They changed the rule in Europe because of that move. They now call it traveling over there.”
Nets Russell 106, scored Raptors 29 points, 105: D’Angelo including six in overtime, as host Brooklyn snapped an eight-game losing streak. The Nets snapped a 12-game slide against Toronto with their first victory over the Raptors since April 3, 2015.
76ers 117, Pistons 111: Jimmy Butler scored 38 points and visiting Philadelphia overcame center Joel Embiid’s absence, rallying from a 15-point
third-quarter deficit to beat Detroit. Blake Griffin had 31 points and 12 rebounds for Detroit. The 76ers rested Embiid.
Spurs 133, Lakers 120: DeMar DeRozan had 36 points and nine assists and host San Antonio rallied to beat Los Angeles. The Spurs got 14 points each from Patty Mills and Jakob Poeltl off the bench, and Davis Bertans added 13. San Antonio’s backups outscored the Lakers’ reserves 52-26. LeBron James had 35 points, 11 assists
and eight rebounds for Los Angeles. Pacers 112, Magic 90: Bojan Bogdanovic scored 26 points and Cory Joseph added 15 to help Indiana beat host Orlando for the eighth straight time. Indiana has won 15 of the past 16 meetings between the teams.
Kings 129, Cavaliers 110: De’Aaron Fox had 30 points and 12 assists to lead visiting Sacramento. Buddy Hield added 25 points for the Kings.
Bulls 114, Thunder 112: Lauri Markkanen scored 24 points, two on a go-ahead layup with 4.9 seconds left, as host Chicago got to its first victory in two games under coach Jim Boylen.
Grizzlies 107, Pelicans 103: JaMychal Green scored 24 points to help visiting Memphis beat New Orleans. Kyle Anderson, who scored 19 points, hit a crucial free throw for a four-point lead in the final seconds for the Grizzlies.
Heat 115, Suns 98: Bam Adebayo scored 22 points, 20 in the first half, and Miami opened a six-game trip by handing Phoenix its eighth straight loss. Justise Winslow added 20 points for the Heat.
Trade: guard with Bucks Cleveland George got Milwaukee Hill Hill and and in forward acquired Washington. a five-player Sam point The deal Dekker got guard from Matthew the Cavaliers. Dellavedova Cleveland and center John Henson, along with 2021 first- and second-round draft picks from Milwaukee. The Bucks then agreed to trade Dekker to Washington for center Jason Smith and a future second-round pick.