NBA Roundup - Magic Stun Celtics

The Orlando Magic delivered a setback to the Boston Celtics' NBA in-season tournament aspirations on Friday, dampening the spirits of the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, as the Houston Rockets ousted them from the competition. Despite a stellar performance by Denver's Nikola Jokic, who scored a season-high 38 points, the Nuggets struggled, shooting only 34 percent from the field and suffering their fifth defeat in seven games.

The Nuggets' offensive challenges were epitomized by Aaron Gordon's 0-for-12 shooting, leading to a group play finish at 2-2, ultimately ending their chances of advancing. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans strengthened their position atop the group with a 116-106 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone expressed concern about his team's performance, emphasizing the need to regain momentum after a challenging 1-4 road trip. On the other side of the tournament, the Orlando Magic extended their winning streak to six games by dominating the league-leading Celtics in the second half, securing a 113-96 victory.

Moritz Wagner led the Magic with 27 points off the bench, supported by Paolo Banchero's 23 points and seven rebounds. The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum's 26 points, faced their most significant defeat of the season as the Magic's defensive prowess took center stage.

The Magic finished group play at 3-1, while the Celtics, at 2-1, find themselves on par with the Brooklyn Nets, each with one game remaining in group play. The tournament's knockout stage beckons for the top performers, with six group winners and two wild card teams advancing to the quarter-finals, set to conclude in Las Vegas in December.

Paolo Banchero acknowledged the significance of the new Cup-style competition in adding excitement to early-season games. The Minnesota Timberwolves missed an opportunity to secure a quarter-final spot, falling 124-111 to the Sacramento Kings, with De'Aaron Fox's 36 points leading the Kings to a 3-0 group play record.

The Golden State Warriors kept their hopes alive with a 118-112 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, featuring Stephen Curry's impressive 35-point performance. In New York, the Knicks staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 21-point third-quarter deficit to stun the Miami Heat 100-98.

Jalen Brunson's 24 points and Immanuel Quickley's 20 off the bench fueled the Knicks' fourth-quarter surge. The Heat, now vying for a wild card spot, will face the Milwaukee Bucks, propelled by Brook Lopez's career-high 39 points in a 131-128 triumph over the Washington Wizards.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard contributed 31 points each for the Bucks, who stand at 3-0, nearing a quarter-final berth. The Phoenix Suns kept their wild card hopes alive in the West with a 110-89 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, led by Devin Booker's 40 points, compensating for the absence of superstar Kevin Durant.