Nikola Jokic delivered yet another stellar performance, recording 27 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists for his fourth consecutive triple-double as the Denver Nuggets crushed the Philadelphia 76ers 144-109 at home. Jokic achieved his 19th triple-double of the season and the 149th of his career, needing just three quarters to do so.
Julian Strawther added a career-high 23 points, sinking five three-pointers, while Christian Braun scored 20 points. Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. chipped in 19 points apiece as Denver tied its season high in points and secured its 11th win in the past 14 games.
Lakers 111, Wizards 88
Anthony Davis dominated with 29 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a victory over the visiting Washington Wizards. LeBron James added a triple-double with 21 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds — his ninth of the season and 121st of his career.
Austin Reaves and Dorian Finney-Smith each contributed 16 points for the Lakers, who broke a slump by winning their third game in seven outings. The Wizards, led by Bilal Coulibaly’s 17 points and Jordan Poole’s 15, suffered their 11th straight loss and dropped to an NBA-worst 1-18 on the road.
Raptors 109, Magic 93
Scottie Barnes posted 17 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists to power the Toronto Raptors past the Orlando Magic. RJ Barrett scored 19 points for Toronto, which has now won three of its last four games.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 26 points and 12 rebounds, but the Magic’s injury woes continued as they fell to their fourth consecutive defeat. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope contributed 20 points for Orlando in the losing effort.
Trail Blazers 116, Heat 107
Anfernee Simons returned from injury to score a game-high 24 points, leading the Portland Trail Blazers past the Miami Heat on the road. Deandre Ayton added a strong double-double with 22 points and 15 rebounds.
Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 22 points, but Miami struggled without Tyler Herro, who missed the game due to a groin injury. The Heat have now lost four of their last five games.
Knicks 99, Nets 95
Jalen Brunson overcame a slow start to hit the go-ahead basket with just over two minutes remaining as the New York Knicks edged past the Brooklyn Nets. Brunson finished with 17 points, scoring eight in the final minutes to secure New York’s ninth straight win over Brooklyn.
Karl Anthony-Towns contributed a double-double with 25 points and 16 rebounds for the Knicks, while OG Anunoby added 20 points. D’Angelo Russell led Brooklyn with 23 points and 10 assists, but the Nets’ shooting struggles continued, as they hit just 37.2% from the floor in their eighth straight home loss.
