NICKEIL Alexander-Walker hit two free throws with 0.1 seconds left in double overtime, and the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a 61-point triple-double from Nikola Jokic to beat the Denver Nuggets 140-139 on Tuesday night (Wednesday in Manila).
Jokic never sat after halftime en route to the first game with at least 60 points in his career. His 61 topped De’Aaron Fox’s 60 for the most in a game this season. Jokic also had 10 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals.
Anthony Edwards had 34 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, Alexander-Walker and Julius Randle had 26 points each for the Timberwolves, who have won three straight. Minnesota was without Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid, who served one-game suspensions for their part in the fight with the Detroit Pistons on Monday.
Aaron Gordon had 30 points and Christian Braun contributed 18 points, 12 rebounds and three steals for Denver, which had won three of its past four games.
In other games, it was the Warriors 134, Grizzlies 125; Magic 116, Spurs 105; Knicks 105, Sixers 91; Bulls 137, Raptors 118; Bucks 133, Suns 123; and Blazers 127, Hawks 113.
Warriors 134, Grizzlies 125
Stephen Curry scored 52 points and Jimmy Butler III added 27 to lead Golden State past host Memphis for its third straight victory and 12th in the past 15 games.
Curry made 16 of 31 shots, including 12 of 20 from beyond the 3-point arc, and also contributed 10 rebounds, eight assists and five steals. He moved into 25th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, surpassing Jerry West (25,192) and ending the night at 25,205.
Draymond Green had 13 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists for the Warriors, who made 28 of 28 free throws. Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 36 points and six assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 22, and rookie big man Zach Edey tied a career high with 16 boards to go along with 10 points and four blocks.
Magic 116, Spurs 105
Paolo Banchero racked up 24 points and 10 rebounds and Franz Wagner added 24 points as Orlando handled host San Antonio in a late-season dustup with playoff implications.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 23 points for the Magic while hitting seven 3-pointers and Caleb Houstan scored 12. Orlando is now tied with the Atlanta Hawks for seventh place in the East with seven games to play.
Harrison Barnes led the Spurs with 24 points. Julian Champagnie added 19 points, Stephon Castle scored 16, Devin Vassell and BismackBiyombo had 11 each and Chris Paul hit for 10 as San Antonio dropped its fifth straight game.
