Jokic scores 27 as Nuggets hold off Grizzlies 105-99

Nikola Jokic had 27 points and 12 rebounds, reserve Monte Morris tied a career high with 20 points and the injury-depleted Denver Nuggets beat the Memphis Grizzlies 105-99 on Monday night.

Morris gave the Nuggets the lead for good on a 3-pointer with 5:22 remaining. Juancho Hernangomez followed with another 3-pointer to give Denver some separation in a tightly contested game that featured 15 lead changes. Neither team opened more than an eight-point advantage.

Mason Plumlee added 12 points and 10 rebounds in his first start of the season for the Nuggets, who were missing Gary Harris, Paul Millsap and Will Barton due to injuries. Jamal Murray also was dealing with bruised right shin and took a hard hit on a screen just before halftime. He finished with 16 points.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Shelvin Mack, right, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Despite a dislocated right pointer finger, Memphis guard Mike Conley had 19 points and six assists. He also went to the locker room in the third quarter with what appeared to be a leg injury, but soon returned.

Conley pulled the Southwest Division-leading Grizzlies to 98-97 with 3:44 left on a three-point play, but the Nuggets responded with baskets from Jokic and Murray.

This game was a little more high scoring than their Nov. 7 contest, when the Grizzlies won 89-87. In that game, Jokic attempted just one shot.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley, right, drives up the court past Denver Nuggets forward Torrey Craig in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Jokic was pretty much hitting everything in the first half, including a shot when he was inbounding the ball toward the rim with 2.9 seconds remaining before halftime.

Of course, it didn't count.

TIP-INS

Memphis Grizzlies guard MarShon Brooks, center, drives the lane for a basket between Denver Nuggets forward Trey Lyles, left, and guard Malik Beasley in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Grizzlies: Coach J.B. Bickerstaff has plenty of ties to Denver. He went to high school in the city and his father was the coach of the Nuggets for parts of three seasons. "I have a lot of friends, a lot of family here at the game," Bickerstaff said. ... The Grizzlies had a stretch in the first half where they hit 11 straight shots.

Nuggets: Morris had a 3-pointer bounce on the rim and the top of the glass about six times before dropping. ... The Nuggets returned home after a 3-2 trip.

YOUNG AT HEART

On Monday, the Nuggets signed veteran guard Nick Young under the injury hardship relief exception granted by the NBA. He didn't get in the game against the Grizzlies, but the team plans on getting Young up to speed quickly. Coach Michael Malone said Young brings a little more of a long-range threat to the floor.

Young has been a 37.6 percent shooter from 3-point land for Golden State, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia, Los Angeles Clippers and Washington.

"Whatever uniform he's worn, he's a proven scorer and a proven shooter," Malone said.

UP NEXT

Grizzlies: Host Portland on Wednesday.

Nuggets: Face Oklahoma City on Friday in the second of a four-game homestand.

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs added 24 points and the Orlando Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 on Thursday night to cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game. They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.

They can even the series with a victory at home Sunday.

Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.

76ERS 125, KNICKS 114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a win over New York in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

NUGGETS 112, LAKERS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series..

Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champion Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.

Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to its fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with its sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) makes a shot as he gets past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)