Jokic has his 25th triple-double of the season, the Nuggets rout the Rockets 129-93

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 16 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds for his 25th triple-double of the season, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Houston Rockets 129-93 in a Western Conference showdown Wednesday night.

Jamal Murray scored 30 points for Denver, which holds the tiebreaker over the Rockets after winning the season series 3-1. The Nuggets moved within a half-game of Houston in the bunched-up Western Conference standings.

It was the first time since mid-November Denver has won with its opening-night lineup together. The Nuggets had lost six of 10 out of the All-Star break as head coach David Adelman practices caution with workloads as players return to the lineup.

Jokic completed his 187th career triple-double with his 10th rebound with 4:14 left in the third. It is the 15th time this season he has secured a triple-double before the fourth quarter.

The Rockets, who finished 4 of 33 from behind the arc, were outscored 40-22 in the third. Kevin Durant finished with just 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, his fewest field goal attempts this season.

The Nuggets led by six at halftime and opened a 82-63 lead late in the third.

Rockets: Host New Orleans on Friday night.

Nuggets: At San Antonio on Thursday night.

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Houston Rockets guard Josh Okogie, left, blocks a shot by Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, center, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, left, and center Nikola Jokic defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., left, shoots for a basket over Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, drives to the rim past Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason, front bottom, fights for control of a loose ball with Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones, front top, and guard Bruce Brown in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

CHICAGO (AP) — Aday Mara scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half, helping No. 3 Michigan hold off Bruce Thornton and Ohio State for a 71-67 victory Friday in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.

Elliot Cadeau had 15 points, seven assists and three steals for Michigan in its fifth consecutive win. Trey McKenney scored 12 points, and Morez Johnson Jr. finished with 11.

Mara anchored a strong defensive effort that shut down Ohio State in the final minutes. It was the first game of the tournament for the top-seeded Wolverines (30-2), while the Buckeyes (21-12) advanced with a 72-69 victory over Iowa on Thursday.

Michigan is going for its second straight Big Ten tourney title and fifth overall. Next up is a semifinal matchup with the winner of the Wisconsin-Illinois game.

Thornton scored 22 points for Ohio State, and Devin Royal had 13. It was the Buckeyes’ third loss of the season against the Wolverines.

Ohio State grabbed its first lead of the game when Royal’s 3-pointer from the top of the key made it 61-60 with 5:40 left.

Mara’s layup lifted Michigan to a 67-64 advantage with 2:56 to go. Royal and Thornton then missed jumpers for Ohio State before Yaxel Lendeborg made a free throw for the Wolverines with 1:24 remaining.

The Buckeyes pulled within two on Royal’s two foul shots in the final seconds, but Lendeborg responded with two free throws to help close it out.

Lendeborg, the Big Ten player of the year, was held to six points. But he also had six assists and five rebounds.

Michigan opened a 29-18 lead on Lendeborg’s fast-break jam over Ohio State’s Christoph Tilly with 6:25 left in the first half, sending a charge through the crowd at the United Center. But Thornton converted a runner in the final seconds, trimming the Wolverines’ advantage to 39-35 at the break.

Thornton scored 13 points in the first half for Ohio State on 5-for-7 shooting, and McKenney had 10 at intermission for Michigan.

Michigan lost to Wisconsin 91-88 on Jan. 10. The Wolverines beat Illinois 84-70 on Feb. 27.

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Michigan center Aday Mara dunks against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big 10 Conference tournament, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Michigan guard Nimari Burnett, right, drives to the basket past Ohio State center Christoph Tilly during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big 10 Conference tournament, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Ohio State center Christoph Tilly, center, battles for a loose ball against guard Gabe Cupps, left, and Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big 10 Conference tournament, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)