Jokic powers Denver over Warriors, Giannis leads Bucks
Nikola Jokic posted his 18th triple double of the season to lead reigning NBA champion Denver's 119-103 victory at Golden State on Sunday. The 29-year-old Serbian center, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, had 32 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists plus four steals while Jamal Murray added 27 points for the Nuggets. It was Jokic's third career game with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists -- passing Wilt Chamberlain for the second most in NBA history behind Oscar Robertson. Jokic, who hit 13-of-24 shots from the floor, also became the first NBA player with 14 rebounds and 14 assists in three consecutive games. At Philadelphia, Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and passed off nine assists to lead Milwaukee's 119-98 rout. New Bucks coach Doc Rivers collected a victory over his former club, the 76ers having fired Rivers last May after three seasons guiding the franchise. Milwaukee hired Rivers last month to replace fired Adrian Griffin. Damian Lillard added 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds while Malik Beasley added 20 points as the Bucks hit 43-of-79 shots from the floor and kept the Sixers to 36-of-97 shooting. At Houston, Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points and the Thunder won their fifth consecutive game, beating the host Rockets 123-110 to grab a share of the Western Conference lead with Minnesota at 40-17. At Phoenix, Grayson Allen scored 24 points and Kevin Durant added 22 to lead the host Suns over the Los Angeles Lakers 123-113. LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds while Anthony Davis had 22 points and 14 rebounds. Indiana center Myles Turner scored 33 points to lead the host Pacers over Dallas 133-111. The Mavericks saw their seven-game win streak snapped despite 33 points for Luka Doncic and 29 from Kyrie Irving. Cleveland's Jarrett Allen had 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Cavaliers' 114-105 victory at Washington. DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points to lead Chicago in a 114-106 victory at New Orleans while Finnish forward Lauri Markkanen scored 26 points to lead Utah's 128-109 home win over San Antonio. Atlanta beat visiting Orlando 109-92 behind Dejounte Murray's 25 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, but the Hawks lost scoring leader Trae Young for at least four weeks due to surgery Tuesday to repair a torn left pinkie ligament. (AFP) _____________________________
Last updated: 2024-02-26 HKT 12:42 