UNDATED (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets were considered among the favorites to win the NBA championship this year, but they are the owners of the league’s longest current losing streak.
The skid is now eight games after Nikola Jokic torched the Nets for a triple-double to lead the Nuggets to a 124-104 victory. Jokic had 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, giving him a league-leading 14 triple-double. He scored 23 points in the second and third quarters when Denver went from trailing by seven to leading by 21.
Will Barton had 21 points and Aaron Gordon had 17 points and nine rebounds in his return from a two-game absence.
Kyrie Irving finished with 27 points and 11 assists, and Cam Thomas had 20 for Brooklyn.
The Nets continue to play without Kevin Durant and James Harden.
Brooklyn coach Steve Nash said before the game that Harden is not on the trading block.
Checking out Sunday’s other NBA action:
— Joel Embiid poured in 40 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the 76ers in a 119-108 win over the Bulls. Tobias Harris added 23 points, and Tyrese Maxey had 16, helping the Sixers get within 1 1/2 games of the Eastern Conference-leading Heat. Chicago lost to Philadelphia for the 10th straight time despite DeMar DeRozan’s 45 points.
— Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points, Jrue Holiday added 27 and the Bucks pulled away in the second half to defeat the Clippers, 137-113. The Bucks had three players with double-doubles. Antetokounmpo pulled down 10 rebounds, Holiday had 13 assists and Bobby Portis 24 points and 11 rebounds. Milwaukee led 60-53 early in the third quarter before it went on a 19-3 run over a 2 1/2 minute span.
— Luka Doncic recorded a triple-double and Jalen Brunson had 22 points in the Mavericks’ 103-94 win over the Hawks. Doncic finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists after sitting almost the entire third quarter following his fifth foul less than a minute into the second half. The Mavericks never lost the lead with a patchwork lineup that looked similar to when the team was battling COVID-19 issues earlier in the season.
— Boston picked up its season-high fifth straight win as Jaylen Brown dropped in 26 points to send the Celtics past the Magic, 116-83. Dennis Schröder scored 23 points and hit four 3-pointers off the Celtics’ bench. Boston limited Orlando to 36% shooting from the floor and 5 of 25 from 3-point range.
— Brandon Ingram furnished 33 points and tied a career high with 12 assists in the Pelicans’ 120-107 verdict over the Rockets. Houston led by 5 at halftime but Ingram scored 17 points to power a 38-point third quarter by the Pelicans that gave them a 10-point lead. Jaxson Hayes added 21 points for the Pelicans.
— The Timberwolves earned a 118-105 win over the Pistons as Karl-Anthony Towns delivered 24 points and 12 rebounds. Michael Beasley had 20 points off the bench, and D’Angelo Russell returned with 22 points and eight assists after missing four games because of a left shin contusion. Beasley hit a pair of 3-pointers while Minnesota went on a 19-8 run to take the lead.
Cavs get LeVert from Pacers
UNDATED (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers are about to pick up a veteran shooter as they try to chase down first place in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers have a deal in place to acquire Caris LeVert from the Pacers. ESPN reported the Cavs are sending Ricky Rubio and his expiring $17 million contract, a lottery protected first-round pick in this year’s draft and two second-round picks for LeVert.
The Cavs are in need of backcourt help following season-ending injuries to Rubio and Collin Sexton. LeVert is averaging 18.7 points and 4.4 assists for the disappointing Pacers.
