Bogdanovic scores 48, Jazz win
Bojan Bogdanovic scored a careerhigh 48 points to rally the Utah Jazz past the Denver Nuggets 127120 on Friday night in Salt Lake City.
Bogdanovic went 16 of 23 from the field — making a careerhigh eight 3pointers — to lead the NBAleading Jazz to their fourth straight victory. He also had eight rebounds.
Jordan Clarkson added 21 points and eight assists. Rudy Gobert had 14 points and nine rebounds, and Georges Niang chipped in 13 points all in the second half.
Suns 128, Knicks 105: Deandre Ayton scored 26 points, a feisty Chris Paul added 17 points and 11 assists and Phoenix beat New York to stay in the hunt for the top record in the NBA.
76ers 109, Pelicans 107: Joel Embiid had 37 points and 13 rebounds to the tune of “MVP! MVP!” chants and Philadelphia beat New Orleans to inch closer toward securing the top spot in the East.
Bucks 141, Rockets 133: Brook Lopez had 24 points and Khris Middleton scored 21 of his 23 in the second half to help Milwaukee beat shorthanded Houston for its fifth consecutive victory. Mavericks 110, Cavaliers 90: Luka Doncic scored 24 points in 23 minutes and Dallas kept the prime spot in a tight race to avoid the Western Conference playin tournament with a breezy victory over Cleveland. Trail Blazers 106, Lakers
101: Damian Lillard had 38 points to lead host Portland over Los Angeles to gave the Trail Blazers the tiebreaker over their Western Conference foe as the season winds to a close.
Bulls 121, Celtics 99: Zach LaVine and Coby White each scored 25 points and Chicago overcame a big effort by Kemba Walker to beat Boston. Heat 121, Timberwolves 112: Tyler Herro returned after a sixgame absence and scored 27 points, Jimmy Butler had 25 and Miami beat Minnesota to move back into the No. 6 spot in the Eastern Conference.
Hornets 122, Magic 112: Terry Rozier scored 28 points, LaMelo Ball added 27 points and Charlotte beat Orlando to inch closer to a spot in the playin tournament.
Spurs 113, Kings 104: Dejounte Murray scored 10 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and San Antonio beat Sacramento to end a fivegame losing streak and strengthen their hold on the final playoff spot in the West.