The leaders of the Eastern and Western NBA conferences sparred off on Sunday night – with the Denver Nuggets prevailing 95-86 against the Toronto Raptors.
Denver put 27 points on the board in the final quarter and restricted the Raptors to just 14 to record their third win in a row.
Nikola Jokic was top scorer for the Nuggets with 26 points, nine rebounds and four assists, while Jamal Murray added 19 and Torrey Craig 13.
Nikola Jokic's 26 PTS, 9 REB propels the @nuggets to the home W and a 20-9 season record!#MileHighBasketball 95#WeTheNorth 86 Jamal Murray: 19 PTS, 3 3PMKawhi Leonard: 29 PTS, 14 REB pic.twitter.com/bu1Gi9tUtK — NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2018
Kawhi Leonard claimed 29 points and 14 rebounds for the Raptors who have now lost two on the bounce.
Ben Simmons hit a triple-double – his third of the season – as the Philadelphia 76ers overcame the Cleveland Cavaliers 128-105.
15th career triple-double for @BenSimmons25! #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/UTDmdnTVO3 — Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 16, 2018
Simmons finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists as the Sixers survived a Cavalier resurgence in the third when they scored 12 without reply to make it 86-85.
John Wall recorded 40 points as the Washington Wizards beat the Los Angeles Lakers 128-110, with LeBron James finishing with 13 points.
🖐🏾 @Original_Turner's block x2 🖐🏾 pic.twitter.com/u0vlkVDTqt — Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 17, 2018
The Indiana Pacers won their seventh game in a row as they claimed a 110-99 victory against the New York Knicks, while the Brooklyn Nets extended their purple patch to five with a 144-127 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
De'Aaron Fox finished with 28 points as the Sacramento Kings beat the Dallas Mavericks 120-113 and the Miami Heat overcame the New Orleans Pelicans 102-96.
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