Jokic, Nuggets get by Pelicans

Nikola Jokic had 37 points and nine assists and the Denver Nuggets outlasted New Orleans in a tight fourth quarter for a 113-108 victory over the Pelicans on Friday night. Michael Porter Jr. scored 25 points, and Jamal Murray had 23 points and 11 assists for the Nuggets. They trailed by as many as 14 points in the game and 11 in the fourth quarter, but closed on a 24-8 run.

NETS 113, PISTONS 111 » James Harden scored 44 points and Blake Griffin added 17 in his return to Detroit, lifting Brooklyn to the victory. CELTICS 122, BUCKS 114 » Jayson Tatum scored 34 points, Marcus Smart had 23 as Boston snapped Milwaukee’s eight-game winning streak. TIMBERWOLVES 107, ROCKETS 101 » Karl-Anthony Towns had 29 points and 16 rebounds, and Juancho Hernangomez had 19 points off the bench for Minnesota. TRAIL BLAZERS 112, MAGIC 105 » Newly acquired guard Norman Powell scored 22 points and hit five 3-pointers in his Portland debut, and C.J. McCollum scored seven of his 22 in the fourth quarter to lead the Trail Blazers, who played without injured star guard Damian Lillard. SUNS 104, RAPTORS 100 » Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton each scored 19 points and Phoenix won despite not making a field goal in the last 3:50.

HORNETS 110, HEAT 105 » Malik Monk scored 32 points, Terry Rozier had 26 points and a career-high 11 assists. and Charlotte handed Miami its sixth straight loss. PACERS 109, MAVERICKS 94 » Domantas Sabonis had 22 points and 15 rebounds and Malcolm Brogdon also scored 22 points for Indiana. JAZZ 117, GRIZZLIES 114 » Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points and Rudy Gobert had 25 as Utah earned its 18th straight home victory.

HAWKS 124, WARRIORS 108 » John Collins had a careerhigh 38 points to go with 12 rebounds for Atlanta.

ALSO » Center Andre Drummond reached a buyout with the Cavaliers and is now a free agent ... Charlottle Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak says he’s not ruling out LaMelo Ball returning this season.Kupchak says the rookie point guard will be reevaluated in “four or five weeks” after fracturing his right wrist on March 20.