NUGGETS 113, THUNDER 107
DENVER.- Nikola Jokic had 35 points and came within two assists of a triple-double in Saturday’s matchup in which the Denver Nuggets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-107. Jokic, who had 12 rebounds, made all six of his shots from the field and all six of his free throws in the second half.
The Nuggets split honors in the season series with the Thunder, 2-2.
Aaron Gordon added 20 points and Will Barton scored 18 for the Nuggets, who blew a 16-point lead in the first half before rallying in the final minutes. A pair of free throws by Gordon with 1:48 remaining broke the tie at 105.
Monte Morris stole a fumble with 1:01 remaining, and his 3-pointer with 47.8 seconds left gave Denver a 110-105 lead.
After Theo Maledon made two free throws, Jokic put the final numbers on a three-point play with 23 seconds left.
ROCKETS 115, TRAIL BLAZERS 98
PORTLAND, Ore. — Alperen Sengun had 27 points off the bench, Jalen Green added 25 points and the Houston Rockets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 115-98 on Saturday to complete a straight-game sweep.
The Rockets are tied with Orlando at 20-55, the worst in the NBA. Houston prevailed on Friday 125-106.
Trendon Watford led the Blazers with 15 points and 10 rebounds before leaving late in the game with an apparent knee injury.
With 3:01 remaining, Watford went down on the court and grabbed his left knee after stepping on the foot of Houston’s Dennis Schröder. Watford received help from his teammates to go to the locker room, unable to support his left leg.
The Blazers did not immediately release a medical report.
RAPTORS 131, PACERS 91
TORONTO.- Pacal Siakam scored 23 points and theToronto Raptorsthey crushed this Saturday 131-91 some decimatedIndiana Pacersin a meeting that was interrupted for 70 minutes in the first half due to a fire in a loudspeaker, which forced the public to evacuate.
Scotty Barnesadded 19 points, Precious Achiwa added 18,OG Anunobycounted 16,Chris Boucherhe finished with 11 and Thad Young matched that last number as the Raptors delivered their worst blowout of the season.
Oshae Brissettled Indiana with 21 points,justin andersonadded 18,Jalen Smithtotaled 15 andbuddy hildhe finished with 14. The Pacers have lost three straight and five of the last seven. During the first periods, two sections of the stands had been evacuated behind the basket on the east side. Local firefighters could be seen standing in the empty hallways, looking up at the ceiling.
Moments later, another section was evicted, while the meeting continued.
And then several tests were done to the sound system, but the top speakers didn’t seem to work. Eventually, the official arena announcer Herbie Kuhn indicated that the arena would be evacuated by order of the fire department. He warned the spectators that the meeting was suspended.
The players headed to their benches with 4:05 remaining in the second quarter. The Raptors were ahead 66-38. A half hour after the stoppage, a Raptors spokesman said the club had checked with the fire department and the game could resume.
Shortly afterward, two workers used ropes and harnesses to approach the array of loudspeakers hanging from the ceiling and above the stands. Using an extinguisher, they put out the fire.
Some employees who remained inside the arena cheered as the Raptors returned to the court to warm up.
SPURS 107, NEW ORLEANS 103
NEW ORLEANS.- Dejounte Murraytotaled 15 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds this Saturday, in a duel in which theSan Antonio Spursbolstered their chances of advancing to the postseason with a 107-103 win over New Orleans.
Keldon Johnsonhe capped his 21-point performance with a fast break and a dunk in the closing seconds.
The Pelicans came close to erasing a 10-point deficit in the final 3:43. They had the ball in the final moments and trailed just 105-103. However, the Spurs sent several men to defend the perimeter againstCJ McCollumwho chose to send a pass to the left wing, where José Alvarado was.
KINS 114, MAGIC 110
ORLANDO.- Donte DiVincenzoandharrison barneshit two three-pointers in the last minute of extra time and theSacramento Kingsthey prevailed this Saturday 114-110 on theOrlando Magic.
Davion Mitchellled the Kings with 22 points and seven assists, Barnes added 19 points and DiVincenzo finished with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Franz Wagnerhe led Orlando with 19 points.Cole Anthonyhe scored 14, including an overtime basket that put the Magic up 110-107.
In addition, Anthony grabbed seven rebounds and lavished nine assists. Orlando led 96-87 midway through the fourth quarter and took a 105-97 lead with 2:01 to go. However, the Kings scored the last eight points of regulation and tied it after a Mitchell layup with 12.9 seconds left.
BULLS 98, CAVALIERS 94
CLEVELAND — When things got tough down the stretch, the Bulls’ experience — and All-Star power — came through.
The Cavaliers relented.
Zach LaVine scored 26 points, DeMar DeRozan added 20 and Chicago was left alone in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 98-94 win over Cleveland on Saturday, which didn’t wake up until the second half.
The Bulls limited the Cavs to just 35 points in the first half, then stopped Cleveland’s comeback in the fourth quarter to win on the road for the first time since March 9.
Chicago came in with a one-game lead over Cleveland for fifth place in the playoffs. The Bulls were determined not to give up.
