NBA roundup: Jokic and Nuggets edge Pelicans in OT, Pacers, Rockets win
Denver's NBA Most Valuable Player, Nikola Jokic, overcame a sluggish beginning to achieve a 27-point triple-double on Sunday, leading the Nuggets to a 132-129 overtime victory against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Jokic, who secured his third MVP award in four seasons last year, also recorded 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
Despite being limited to just six points in the first half, the Serbian star expressed concern over Denver's slow starts, as they found themselves trailing by as many as 17 points in the third quarter.
The Nuggets took a 111-109 lead following Julian Strawther's layup with 4:37 remaining in regulation.
CJ McCollum then put New Orleans back in front at 119-117 with 53.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but Denver's Jamal Murray responded with a step-back shot to tie the game at 119-119 with nine seconds remaining. McCollum's missed three-pointer sent the game into overtime.
In the extra period, Jokic dominated, scoring the first six points for Denver, which marked the Pelicans' seventh consecutive loss.
"It seems like we enjoy it that way," Jokic remarked regarding the Nuggets' penchant for late-game heroics, but he also noted, "We should be more hungry."
Murray contributed 27 points for Denver, while Russell Westbrook added 21 points off the bench. Jordan Hawkins led the Pelicans with 25 points, and McCollum finished with 24.
In another matchup, the Indiana Pacers achieved their fourth consecutive victory in impressive fashion, outpacing the Sacramento Kings 122-95 in the second half.
Pascal Siakam recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, as the Pacers scored 70 points in the second half, showcasing a dominant performance with seven players reaching double figures.
Myles Turner added 15 points, while star guard Tyrese Haliburton and reserve Ben Sheppard each contributed 14 points. T.J. McConnell provided 12 points and 10 assists off the bench.
"We maintained our intensity from start to finish," Sheppard stated. "The energy we brought, both from the bench and the starters, resulted in a great team win."
Point guard De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 23 points, while Domantas Sabonis contributed 17 points and 21 rebounds. Despite their efforts, Kings fans expressed their frustration as the team suffered its fourth consecutive loss.
"It was a challenging evening for us," remarked Kings coach Mike Brown. "There will be times when our offense struggles, but we cannot allow 70 points in a single half."
In Toronto, the Houston Rockets overcame a 16-point deficit in the first half to secure a 114-110 victory against the Raptors.
Dillon Brooks was instrumental for Houston, scoring 27 points, while Jalen Green added 22. The Rockets' defense was particularly effective in the fourth quarter, limiting the Raptors to five-of-15 shooting, which ultimately helped them clinch the win.
Alperen Sengun also made a significant contribution with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Houston outscored Toronto 33-26 in the third quarter, taking a one-point lead into the final period.
The Rockets extended their lead to as much as 11 points, but the Raptors narrowed the gap to three following a dunk by Ochai Agbaji with 22.7 seconds left. However, Toronto could not close the distance further, as Brooks secured the victory with a free throw.
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