NIKOLA Jokic had 31 points, 17 rebounds and a timely 3-pointer to counter a late Indiana rally, and the Denver Nuggets defeated the Pacers 125-117 on Friday night (Saturday, Manila time) for its second straight win.
With a sweep of its regular season series with Indiana, Denver (35-37) currently holds the final Western Conference playoff spot and holds a 2 ½ lead over Portland.
Wilson Chandler scored 12 of his 24 points in the first quarter for the Nuggets while Danilo Gallinari added 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Jokic’s double-double in the first half helped give Denver an 11-point advantage. Indiana mounted a late rally in the final minutes that reduced a 23-point deficit to five before Jokic made a 3-pointer with 1:28 left.
Paul George scored 27 points for the Pacers (36-36, 7th in the East) while Jeff Teague had 21 and Myles Turner added 20.
Denver made 40-of-43 free throws versus Indiana's eight of 11.
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