Nuggets make a turnaround

Nikola Jokic had 29 points and 12 rebounds, Jamal Murray added 24 points and the Nuggets rebounded from a flat performance to beat the Spurs 117-103 on Saturday in San Antonio and tie the series at two games each.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs. DeMar DeRozan added 19 points before he was ejected with five minutes remaining after arguing with an official over an offensive foul.

The Nuggets were more aggressive and physical after a deflating Game 3 loss, just as coach Michael Malone hoped.

“I want to see some emotion. I want to see some fire. I want to see some passion,” Malone said before the game.

Malone was able to stir that fire with a couple of changes. Torrey Craig started over a struggling Will Barton and was charged with defending Derrick White.

White was limited to eight points on 3-for-8 shooting after going 15for-21 on Thursday. Craig finished with 18 points, going 5-for-7 on 3-pointers. Barton finished with 12 points and made all three of his 3-point attempts.

76ers 112, Nets 108: Joel Embiid scored and rebounded. He blocked shots and even threw the most important pass of the game.

One thing he didn’t do is lose his cool after his foul triggered a scuffle.

Embiid had 31 points and 16 rebounds and passed to Mike Scott for the go-ahead 3-pointer with 18 seconds left as the 76ers beat the Nets to take a 3-1 series lead.

He also had a flagrant foul that led to a scuffle and two ejections.

“I know these guys are going to go at me because they want me to retaliate, so I’ve got to be mature when I’m on the court and just stay cool and not react,” Embiid said. “Today I could have reacted, but I felt like my team needed me more than they needed Jared Dudley.”

Embiid swung his arm forcefully while fouling Jarrett Allen, and Dudley quickly moved in and bumped Embiid. Jimmy Butler then ran in and pushed Dudley to start the shoving. Butler and Dudley were given technical fouls and ejected.