The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers were both able to continue on recent hot streaks, one of which has the team at the top of the conference, while the other helps them overcome a slow start. First, the Nuggets won their seventh straight game, 124-118, over the Orlando Magic in overtime on Wednesday night. Jamal Murray scored 31 points to lead the Nuggets on the road, as they shot 54 percent from the floor, including 57 percent from three-point range in their 17th win of the year. The victory puts them a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers, who fell to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, for the top spot in the West.
The Magic forced overtime late when Terrence Ross connected for a three-pointer with 6.1 seconds left in regulation. The Nuggets would go on to outscore the Magic, 12-6, in the extra period, kicking the extra time off with a 9-2 run. Nikola Jokic had another productive game for Denver with 12 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists, while Paul Millsap continued to impress with 18 points. Evan Fournier led the Magic with 26 points, as they fell to 12-13 on the season, still good for seventh place in the East. Nikola Vucevic also had a monster game with 24 points and 15 rebounds, but the Magic shot just 1-for-9 from the floor in overtime to seal their fate on this night.
Later in the night, LeBron James waited until the final quarter to really put it on, but it was enough to power the Lakers past the San Antonio Spurs at home, 121-113. James finished with 42 points on the night, including 20 points in the fourth quarter, sending Los Angeles to their fourth straight win. "The King" shot 15-of-24 from the floor, as the Lakers improved to 10-4 at the Staples Center, and now sit in fifth place in the Western Conference standings at 15-9. It was their first win in three tries against the struggling Spurs, as Kyle Kuzma also contributed 22 points and nine rebounds in the win.
Josh Hart also came up big with two clutch three-pointers late in the fourth, helping Los Angeles overcome losing Brandon Ingram to a sprained ankle in the first quarter.It was LeBron's third 40-point game of the season, which his first with the Lakers, who have now won eight of their past nine home games. DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 32 points and Rudy Gay had a season-high 31, but the Spurs dropped to 11-14, including 4-10 away from home. The Lakers and Spurs will go at it for a fourth time this season on Friday, this time in San Antonio.
The Magic forced overtime late when Terrence Ross connected for a three-pointer with 6.1 seconds left in regulation. The Nuggets would go on to outscore the Magic, 12-6, in the extra period, kicking the extra time off with a 9-2 run. Nikola Jokic had another productive game for Denver with 12 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists, while Paul Millsap continued to impress with 18 points. Evan Fournier led the Magic with 26 points, as they fell to 12-13 on the season, still good for seventh place in the East. Nikola Vucevic also had a monster game with 24 points and 15 rebounds, but the Magic shot just 1-for-9 from the floor in overtime to seal their fate on this night.
Later in the night, LeBron James waited until the final quarter to really put it on, but it was enough to power the Lakers past the San Antonio Spurs at home, 121-113. James finished with 42 points on the night, including 20 points in the fourth quarter, sending Los Angeles to their fourth straight win. "The King" shot 15-of-24 from the floor, as the Lakers improved to 10-4 at the Staples Center, and now sit in fifth place in the Western Conference standings at 15-9. It was their first win in three tries against the struggling Spurs, as Kyle Kuzma also contributed 22 points and nine rebounds in the win.
Josh Hart also came up big with two clutch three-pointers late in the fourth, helping Los Angeles overcome losing Brandon Ingram to a sprained ankle in the first quarter.It was LeBron's third 40-point game of the season, which his first with the Lakers, who have now won eight of their past nine home games. DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 32 points and Rudy Gay had a season-high 31, but the Spurs dropped to 11-14, including 4-10 away from home. The Lakers and Spurs will go at it for a fourth time this season on Friday, this time in San Antonio.
