Nuggets send short-handed Bucks to 3rd straight loss
DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray scored 21 points, Paul Millsap had 20 and Jerami Grant added 19 as the Denver Nuggets sent the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks to their third straight loss and fourth in five games, 109-95 on Monday night.
The NBA-leading Bucks (53-12) were without reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has a knee injury, as well as starters Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton and key backup George Hill.
Altogether, the Bucks played without their top six scorers, and despite a valiant effort by their backups led by Kyle Korver (23 points), the team sorely missed that firepower during its fourth consecutive road loss and third in a row on this trip.
The Bucks were swept by Denver in the two-game season series. The Nuggets won 127-115 in Milwaukee on Jan. 31.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Serge Ibaka and Pascal Siakam each scored 27 points, and Toronto beat Utah for its fourth straight victory.
Kyle Lowry added 21 points and seven assists as the Raptors used a 52-33 advantage on the glass to improve to 21-4 since Jan. 15. Ibaka grabbed 13 rebounds and Siakam finished with 11 boards and eight assists.
Joe Ingles had 20 points and six assists for the Jazz, who had won five in a row. Royce O’Neale added 15 points and seven rebounds.
Toronto played much of the game without Norman Powell, who sprained his left ankle two minutes in. Powell averaged 34 points on 57% shooting over his previous two games.
ATLANTA (AP) — De’Andre Hunter broke a tie by sinking three free throws with 13.3 seconds remaining in the second overtime, and Atlanta outlasted Charlotte following a controversial finish to the first extra period.
Trae Young had 31 points and 16 assists for the Hawks, and John Collins added 28 points and 11 rebounds. He shot 12 of 13 from the field.
Hunter finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Terry Rozier led the Hornets with a career-high 40 points.
After Hunter’s clutch trip to the line, Rozier missed a 3-pointer. Two free throws by Cam Reddish, who had 22 points, iced the win.
Two reviews by the officials at the end of the first overtime produced different results. Following the first review, officials said Rozier was fouled by Atlanta’s Treveon Graham with 0.8 seconds remaining.
Before Rozier had a chance to attempt two free throws with the score tied, Atlanta’s Lloyd Pierce registered a coach’s challenge. This time, the officials ruled Rozier was not fouled. Young missed a last-gasp jumper for Atlanta.
Young made one of two free throws with 1.8 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
Devonte’ Graham scored 27 points and made two free throws that gave Charlotte a 122-121 lead with 5.5 seconds to play in regulation.
