Murray scores 50 in win over Cavaliers

CLEVELAND — Jamal Murray scored a careerhigh 50 points, All-Star starter Nikola Jokic had a triple-double and the Denver Nuggets adjusted to a schedule change by handing the Cleveland Cavaliers their ninth straight loss, 120-103 on Friday night in a matchup hastily arranged by the NBA due to COVID-19.

Murray hardly missed, making 21 of 25 shots, including 8 of 10 3-pointers. He didn’t attempt a free throw.

With the Cavs still hanging around in the fourth, Murray made three 3pointers in 65 seconds to push Denver’s lead to 21. He scored 20 in the final quarter before being replaced with 2:23 left.

Collin Sexton scored 23 and Jarrett Allen had 20 for Cleveland.

Murray celebrated his third straight long-range make — from 33 feet — to open the fourth by pounding his chest and screaming toward fans. He scored Denver’s first 13 in the last quarter, and then passed his previous career best of 46 points by draining another 3 — on Jokic’s 10th assist — with 4 minutes left.

Michael Porter Jr. added 22 points for the Nuggets. Jokic had 16 points and 12 rebounds in getting his seventh triple-double this season.

Denver made their first 12 shots, opened a 22-point lead in the second half and then let Murray close out the Cavs.

76ERS 112, BULLS 105

All-Star Joel Embiid scored a career-high 50 points to lead Philadelphia to victory over Chicago at home.

Embiid added 17 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and two steals in a dominating performance at both ends of the court.

Tobias Harris had 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Eastern Conferenceleading 76ers, who played without Ben Simmons (illness) for the second straight game.

Zach LaVine scored 30 points for the Bulls.

CLIPPERS 116, JAZZ 112

Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points, Lou Williams added 19 and Los Angeles defeated Utah at home.

Donovan Mitchell scored 35 for the Jazz.

RAPTORS 86 TIMBERWOLVES 81

Norman Powell scored a season-high 31 points and Toronto beat Minnesota on the road, closing the game with an 11-0 run.

Toronto earned its third straight win. Fred VanVleet had 12 points and seven rebounds, while Pascal Siakam added 10 points and nine boards.

SUNS 132, PELICANS 114

Chris Paul had 15 points and a season-high 19 assists, spearheading an 11-point, fourth-quarter comeback by Phoenix a victory over host New Orleans.

BUCKS 98, THUNDER 95

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 29 points, a seasonhigh 19 rebounds and eight assists, and host Milwaukee beat Oklahoma City to snap a five-game skid.

Khris Middleton added 20 points for the Bucks, while Lu Dort had 17 for the Thunder.

GRIZZLIES 109, PISTONS 95

Ja Morant scored 21 of his 29 points in the second half, Jonas Valanciunas added 17 points and Memphis rallied for a victory over visting Detroit.

CELTICS 121, HAWKS 109

Kemba Walker scored a season-high 28 points and Boston held off visting Atlanta.

Jayson Tatum added 25 points and eight rebounds.

Trae Young led the Hawks with 31 points. Atlanta has lost five of six.

MAGIC 124, WARRIORS 120

Nikola Vucevic had 30 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists for his third career triple-double and host Orlando overcame a 13point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat Golden State.

Stephen Curry finished with 29 points for the Warriors (16-14).