Nuggets hold off Clippers for fourth straight victory

LOS ANGELES — Jamal Murray scored 23 points, and the Denver Nuggets led all the way in beating the Los Angeles Clippers 101-94 on Thursday for their fourth straight victory.

The Nuggets dominated the first three quarters on a night when Nikola Jokic didn’t reach double figures in scoring until hitting a 3-pointer with 5:20 left. He totaled 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points and 12 rebounds.

Paul George had 17 points and eight rebounds in his return after missing two games with a sore right foot. Terance Mann added 18 points off the bench.

The Clippers made a run in the fourth, opening with a 13-3 spurt that left them trailing 84-83. But Denver outscored them the rest of the way. Jokic’s 3-pointer extended the Nuggets’ lead to six.

■ Hawks 134, Spurs 129, 2OT:

At San Antonio, Trae Young scored 15 of his 28 points after regulation and had 12 assists for Atlanta, which snapped a two-game skid. Demar Derozan had 36 points and nine assists for San Antonio.

■ Magic 115, Pelicans 110, OT: At New Orleans, Terrence Ross hit two key jumpers in the last minute of overtime and totaled 19 points for Orlando. Nickeil Alexander-walker led New Orleans with 31 points.

■ Pistons 120, Wizards 91: At Detroit, Josh Jackson scored 19 of his 31 points in the first half for Detroit. Russell Westbrook had 16 points, 12 assists, 11 rebounds and nine turnovers for Washington.

■ Heat 116, Warriors 109: At Miami, Jimmy Butler had 22 points to pace three 20-point scorers for Miami, which won its third straight. Stephen Curry had 36 points and 11 rebounds for Golden State.

■ Nets 111, Hornets 89: At New York, Jeff Green scored 12 of his 21 points in a first quarter after which Brooklyn led 32-11, with Charlotte missing 19 of its first 23 shots.

■ 76ers 114, Cavaliers 94: At Cleveland, Shake Milton scored 27 points for Philadelphia, which finished 4-2 on a six-game road trip.