March 28, 2024

Thursday’s NBA Capsules

DENVER (AP) — Nate Robinson and Jordan Hamilton each hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start the fourth quarter, helping the Denver Nuggets pull away for a 97-87 victory against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night.

Hamilton finished with 17 points to lead the Nuggets, who won their seventh straight against the Bulls at the Pepsi Center. J.J. Hickson had 14 points, Kenneth Faried had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Randy Foye also scored 12.

Derrick Rose had 19 points for the Bulls, who snapped a five-game winning streak.

Robinson, who spent last season with the Bulls, started a 12-0 burst when he hit successive 3s opening the final period. Hamilton matched him by making 3s on consecutive possessions and the Nuggets’ lead ballooned to 82-62 with 9:40 left.

Thunder 105, Clippers 91

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Kevin Durant had 28 points and eight assists, another Thunder fan hit a half-court heave and Oklahoma City beat Los Angeles.

For the second straight game, a Thunder rooter made a midcourt basket during a second-quarter promotion to win $20,000. High school business teacher Brad Brucker was congratulated by recording artists Beyonce and Jay-Z, who sat in courtside seats next to Durant’s family.

Serge Ibaka scored 17 points and blocked three shots and Russell Westbrook added 12 points for Oklahoma City, which has won its first five home games of the season for the first time since 2004-05 in Seattle.

Oklahoma City led all the way, taking a quick 10-point advantage and never leading by less than six after that in the matchup of Western Conference powers.

Blake Griffin scored 27 points on 12-for-23 shooting and also had 10 rebounds for the Clippers.

Los Angeles guard Chris Paul also extended his NBA-record streak while finishing with 17 points and 12 assists. He has opened the season with 13 straight games of at least 10 points and 10 assists. Magic Johnson held the previous record of 11 to open the 1990-91 season.