Nuggets top Hornets for best start in franchise history
DENVER — Nikola Jokic’s impressive numbers took a back seat to his coast-to-coast dunk.
Cheered by the sellout crowd for his jam, he was also teased by his teammates. To him, the slam was a thing of beauty.
“Poetry in motion,” the 7-footer said.
Jokic scored a seasonhigh 39 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, reserve Paul Millsap added 18 points and the Western Conference-leading Nuggets knocked off the Charlotte Hornets 123-110 on Saturday for their 10th straight home victory.
At 26-11, the Nuggets are off to their best NBA start in franchise history. This also marks the latest they’ve been in first place in the conference since March 16, 1977.
Jokic turned in another impressive stat line, also adding six assists, three steals and one blocked shot. He was 16 of 29 from the floor and 4 of 5 from the line.
“You try to play him straight up, he’s going to do what he wants,” Hornets guard Malik Monk said. “We just tried to play him straight up and he just exploited us on that. He’s a great player. I can’t say anything bad about him.”
Kemba Walker had 20 points for the Hornets.
RAPTORS 123, BUCKS 116
Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam scored 30 points each, and Serge Ibaka added 25 as Toronto won at Milwaukee despite 43 points and 18 rebounds from Bucks center Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The matchup of the teams with the two best record in the Eastern Conference went down to the final minute before the Raptors secured the victory, snapping Milwaukee’s five-game winning streak.
WARRIORS 127, KINGS 123
Stephen Curry scored 42 points and Kevin Durant had 29 with nine assists as Golden State won at Sacramento.
Buddy Hield led the Kings with 32 points and Justin Jackson added 28.
76ERS 106, MAVERICKS 100
Ben Simmons had a triple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists as Philadelphia won at home.
Joel Embiid scored a game high 25 points with 12 rebounds, and JJ Redick added 20 points for the 76ers.
Wesley Matthews led the Mavericks with 18 points.
SPURS 108, GRIZZLIES 88
Derrick White scored 19 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 as host San Antonio topped Memphis.
PELICANS 133 CAVALIERS 98
Julius Randle had 22 oints, 12 rebounds and eight assists, and Jrue Holiday added 22 points as New Orleans won at Cleveland.
Anthony Davis contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans.
The defeat came a night after Cavaliers coach Larry Drew and his players held a lengthy meeting following a 26-point loss to Utah. Cleveland is an NBA-worst 8-32.
JAZZ 110, PISTONS 105
Donovan Mitchell scored 24 of his 26 points in the second half, and Utah rallied from an 18point deficit to win at Detroit.
Blake Griffin led the Pistons with 34 points.