NBA ROUND-UP: Jamal Murray hits game-winning three-pointer as Nuggets squeak past Trail Blazers, while Spurs snap 11-game losing streak as Greg Popovich returns to bench
Jamal Murray’s 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds left lifted the Denver Nuggets to a thrilling 121-120 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.
Damian Lillard had 40 points for the Trail Blazers, including a 3-pointer that gave them a one-point lead with 8.8 seconds left.
Murray answered with his 3 from the left side for the game’s final 20 lead change.
Jamal Murray’s 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds left lifts Denver Nuggets to victory
Murray scored his last three for the last 20 changes leading to a thrilling game
Nikola Jokic had 33 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for Denver, which rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to snap a three-game losing streak.
Murray scored 21 points, Aaron Gordon had 20 and Bones Hyland added 13 off the bench.
Lillard finished with 12 assists and nine 3-pointers. Jusuf Nurkic had 21 points and nine rebounds, but Anfernee Simons was 3 for 12, missing all six of her attempts behind the arc.
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (right) drives to the basket past Trail Blazers Trendon Watford
The Nuggets fought back early in the fourth quarter, cutting the Blazers’ lead to 104-103 with 7:07 left on Murray’s 3-pointer.
Jokic’s floater put the Nuggets ahead for the first time in the second half at 105-104.
Gordon’s tip-in put the Nuggets ahead 118-117 with 17 seconds left before Lillard’s final 3-pointer made it 120-118. After Murray’s 3, the Nuggets lost Portland’s last inbounds pass.
Lillard scored eight points in the first four minutes of the third quarter to help the Blazers take a nine-point lead. He had 18 points in the quarter, which gave the Blazers a 99-89 lead heading into the fourth.
Murray celebrates the game-winning shot with teammates and coaches
SPURS 115, ROCKETS 110
Bam Adebayo had 31 points and 10 rebounds, Jimmy Butler added 26 points and the Miami Heat held off the Los Angeles Clippers 115-110 on Thursday night.
Tyler Herro scored 19 and Caleb Martin finished with 17 for the Heat. Butler scored Miami’s final eight points.
Paul George finished with 29 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Clippers, who went 0-2 on their Florida swing after falling in overtime at Orlando on Wednesday.
Reggie Jackson scored 20 for the Clippers, while Nic Batum and Marcus Morris Sr. each added 11.
The Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard — who has now missed 20 of 27 games this season — for the second night of back-to-backs, part of an ongoing plan to manage issues with his right knee. For Miami, starting point guard Kyle Lowry was out for the first time this season, given one game on rest, and backup point guard Gabe Vincent (left knee) remained sidelined.
Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball against the LA Clippers
SPURS 118, ROCKETS 109
Keldon Johnson scored 32 points and San Antonio snapped an 11-game losing streak with a win over Houston.
Johnson made his first nine shots and his first three 3-pointers in helping San Antonio win for the first time since Nov. 11.
Tre Jones had a career-high 26 points and reserves Doug McDermott and Josh Richardson each added 12 points.
Rookie Jabari Smith Jr. scored. 23 points for Houston. Alperen Sengun added 16 points and 11 rebounds, with all five Rockets starters scoring in double figures.
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich returned after missing the past two games with what the team called a ‘minor medical procedure.’
San Antonio Spurs Keldon Johnson (3) drives to the basket against Rockets Jalen Green (4)
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