Nuggets stretch win streak
CLEVELAND—The Denver Nuggets continued their sparkling form with a 111-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, extending their winning streak to nine games.
The Nuggets have averaged 114.6 points per game during the streak to move to 33-18, and fourth overall in the Western Conference. The nine games are their longest streak since winning 10 on the trot in 2005.
Danilo Gallinari led the Nuggets with 19 points and nine rebounds while Kenneth Faried scored 17 points and added seven rebounds.
Denver is near unstoppable at home with a 22-3 record but have been criticized for its inability to lift on the road. The win in Cleveland pushed it to 11-15 away from home.
In Dallas, Shawn Marion scored a season-high 26 points as the Mavericks thrashed Golden State, 116-91, to hand the Warriors their fourth straight defeat.
O.J. Mayo added 19 for Dallas, who led by 27 points in the second quarter to quickly put an end to the contest.
In other games, Sacramento proved it is hard to beat at home by downing Utah; Detroit edged a tight one against Milwaukee; and Philadelphia was too good for Charlotte.
Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki had 15 points as the Mavericks avenged two losses to the Warriors earlier in the season.
Sacramento’s Isaiah Thomas scored 25 points and Marcus Thornton had 24 as the Kings defeated the Utah Jazz, 120-109.
It was a boisterous crowd of 16,193 that was chanting “Sacramento!” just before tipoff in support of the Kings, who could be sold and move to Seattle next season.
Detroit’s Charlie Villanueva hit a 3pointer with 9.7 seconds left, then Rod- ney Stuckey sealed the win with two free throws to give the Pistons a 105100 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
With the scores tied, the Pistons worked the ball to Villanueva, who got it at the top of the key and swished a 3. On the Bucks’ next possession, Jennings fired up a 31-foot 3point attempt with 3.2 seconds left. Stuckey’s two free throws with 1.6 seconds remaining were the final margin.
Philadelphia’s Lavoy Allen had 14 points and a career-high 22 rebounds in the 76ers’ 87-76 win over the Charlotte Bobcats.