Jokic has 24 and 10, Nuggets beat depleted Clippers 106-102

Nikola Jokic had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Danilo Gallinari and Will Barton each added 23 points to lead the Denver Nuggets past the undermanned Los Angeles Clippers 106-102 on Monday night. The Clippers played without their three leading scorers – Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and J.J. Redick – but came from 17 points down to start the second half and took a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Cousins has big fourth quarter to lift Kings past 76ers

DeMarcus Cousins made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 20.9 seconds remaining and added a clutch free throw moments later, lifting the Sacramento Kings to a 102-100 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. After Ersan Ilyasova drove around Rudy Gay for a layup that tied the score at 96-96, Cousins made his second 3 of the game to put Sacramento ahead.

With LeBron James resting, Cavaliers fall to Pistons

The Detroit Pistons made the most of LeBron James’s absence, snapping a five-game skid with a 106-90 victory over the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers. Iman Shumpert of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks to get a shot off around Tobias Harris of the Detroit Pistons during the second half, at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan, on December 26, 2016 A day after their 109-108 triumph over the Golden State Warriors in a Christmas Day thriller, the short-handed Cavs had no answer for the Pistons.

An NBA Christmas

I write this bit every year: A quick preview of the games on the big NBA holiday, an invitation to chat with us about basketball, celebrations, food, family or whatever’s on your mind. As you all know who have been reading for any length of time, I’m Jewish, so Christmas isn’t my thing.

An NBA Christmas

I write this bit every year: A quick preview of the games on the big NBA holiday, an invitation to chat with us about basketball, celebrations, food, family or whatever’s on your mind. As you all know who have been reading for any length of time, I’m Jewish, so Christmas isn’t my thing.

Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Game 29

The Cavs and the Warriors lead the East and West, respectively, as they get set to meet today at 2:30 p.m. at The Q. What’s up with the Cavs: They’re the NBA’s best home team so far this season and have won four straight overall . In those wins, they’ve scored at least 110 points each time and are 15-0 when they do that this season.

Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Game 29

The Cavs and the Warriors lead the East and West, respectively, as they get set to meet today at 2:30 p.m. at The Q. What’s up with the Cavs: They’re the NBA’s best home team so far this season and have won four straight overall . In those wins, they’ve scored at least 110 points each time and are 15-0 when they do that this season.

Timberwolves vs Thunder: Christmas Day Preview

The Timberwolves square-off against the red-hot Russell Westbrook on Christmas Day – the first time that the Wolves have ever played on Christmas. When this game was originally scheduled, the records for the two teams was expected to be similar at this junction of the season.

Timberwolves vs Thunder: Christmas Day Preview

The Timberwolves square-off against the red-hot Russell Westbrook on Christmas Day – the first time that the Wolves have ever played on Christmas. When this game was originally scheduled, the records for the two teams was expected to be similar at this junction of the season.

This Week in Knicks Social Media: Live life, live

Happy holidays! It’s Christmas Eve and it’s sleeting out and things are kind of hectic, but take a minute, pull up a chair, have a hot drink – we have a few important items of business to take care of. First, earlier this week the entire basketball world paused when news came out that the great Craig Sager had died of leukemia.

Leonard has 33 and Spurs beat Blazers 110-90

San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge , left, competes for a rebound with Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Friday, Dec. 23, 2016. AP Photo/Steve Dykes) San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard passes the ball as Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Friday, Dec. 23, 2016.

Toronto a learning experience so far for former Runnin’ Utes star Jakob Poeltl

In his first two months as a professional basketball player, former University of Utah star Jakob Poeltl has had the opportunity to play in 15 games for the Toronto Raptors, averaging 2.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 11 minutes per game. The Austrian native also had the opportunity to start two games this year and even had his own SportsCenter top 10 highlight after a posterizing dunk against the Atlanta Hawks.

Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni says James Harden bought in from day

As much as Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni has praised the play of guard James Harden, he said a large part of the success goes back to before the season started when Harden quickly took to D’Antoni’s style and his role. “If he doesn’t buy in to how I would like to coach, then obviously we’re not made for each other,” D’Antoni said.

Atlanta Hawks Game Preview: Dec. 23 Denver Nuggets

Mar 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap grabs a rebound over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports The Atlanta Hawks travel to Denver Friday night to take on the Nuggets.

Report: Goran Dragic open to being traded from the Miami Heat

The Miami Heat aren’t the team Goran Dragic envisioned he would be joining when he came to South Beach two years ago. When Goran Dragic forced his way out of the Phoenix Suns organization two years ago and was traded to the Miami Heat, he thought he was joining a team on the verge of contending in the Eastern Conference.

Lost in a Pistons losing streak

… Even as I am writing this, I’m hearing the complaints walking through the concourse. I can already hear the Detroit sports radio talking heads taking their first shots at a team that they quite honestly give less time to than their ramblings on …

Pat Riley on Miami Heat rebuild: It’s ‘going to be fast’

Miami Heat team president Pat Riley joined morning radio show host Joe Rose, and made interesting comments on the team’s rebuild, and where they currently stand with the roster. The Miami Heat suffered their third loss in a row on Tuesday night, falling 136-130 in a double overtime “thriller” against the Orlando Magic.

Wednesday’s NBA roundup

Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving, driving past Milwaukee’s Tony Snell, had 31 points and 13 assists in his team’s shorthanded victory. Kyrie Irving had 31 points and 13 assists, and LeBron James scored 29 as the Cleveland Cavaliers won their second game in two nights over the Milwaukee Bucks, 113-102 at home Wednesday despite being without two starters.

Erratic driver leads troopers on 2-state chase, gets away

Tear down Central High and replace it with “a nice strip mall”? The speculative suggestion by a city alderman on a local radio show prompted angry reactions among the school’s alumni… Point guard Isaiah Thomas scored a career-high 44 points to lead the Boston Celtics to a 112-109 victory in overtime against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night … (more)

Erratic driver leads troopers on 2-state chase, gets away

Tear down Central High and replace it with “a nice strip mall”? The speculative suggestion by a city alderman on a local radio show prompted angry reactions among the school’s alumni… Point guard Isaiah Thomas scored a career-high 44 points to lead the Boston Celtics to a 112-109 victory in overtime against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night … (more)