Jokic leads Denver to 123-116 comeback win over Timberwolves

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic scored 13 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter after losing his cool earlier in the game, and the Denver Nuggets scrambled late to beat Minnesota 123116 on Tuesday night for their 10th straight win over the Timberwolves.

Jokic shook off two second-quarter technical fouls — one for hanging on the rim and another for jawing at an official — to lead the Nuggets to the comeback victory. He also had 15 rebounds.

Will Barton added 20 points and reserve JaMychal Green had 17 for the Nuggets, who squandered an 18-point lead in the first half and fell behind by eight. Denver held Minnesota scoreless for more than five minutes during the decisive stretch.

D’Angelo Russell scored 33 points and Juancho Hernangomez added 25 against his former team. It was the fifth straight loss for the Timberwolves.

LAKERS GRIZZLIES 92

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Anthony Davis and LeBron James each scored 26 points, rallying Los Angeles to a win over

94,

Memphis.

James added 11 rebounds and seven assists, and Dennis Schroder finished with 12 points for Los Angeles, which won its fourth straight game.

Jonas Valanciunas, Dillon Brooks and Gorgui Dieng led Memphis with 13 points apiece, and Brandon Clarke added 12 points. Valanciunas finished with 11 rebounds.

SPURS 116, CLIPPERS 113

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Patty Mills came off the bench to hit a career-high eight 3-pointers and scored 27 points, and San Antonio defeated the Clippers to snap a four-game skid.

Dejounte Murray added 21 points, Rudy Gay had 16 points, LaMarcus Aldridge 14 points and Keldon Johnson a career-high 11 rebounds for the Spurs. They led by 24 in the first quarter and withstood an onslaught by Kawhi Leonard in the third before nearly blowing their lead in the fourth.

Leonard scored a game-high 30 points and had 10 assists. He had 11 points in the third, when Patrick Beverley made three 3-pointers, and the Clippers closed within one. Nicolas

Batum had 21 points and nine rebounds, and Beverley finished with 20 points.

The Clippers were without Paul George, who tweaked his ankle in Sunday’s win over Phoenix.

NETS 130, JAZZ 96

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyrie Irving scored 20 of his 29 points in the first half to lead the undermanned Brooklyn past Utah.

Brooklyn, which entered the game having lost two straight and four of five, never trailed.

As brilliant as he was individually, Irving had help from

Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert.

Jarrett Allen recorded his third double-double of the season with 19 points and 18 rebounds, and Caris LeVert had 24 points off the bench. Joe Harris chipped in with 10 points.

Donovan Mitchell led Utah with gamehigh 31 points. Jordan Clarkson added 12, and Rudy Gobert and Royce O’Neale had 10 each for the Jazz, whose twogame winning steak was snapped.