NBA: Nikola Jokic scores 35 points as Denver Nuggets edge Minnesota Timberwolves

Nikola Jokic scored 35 points and made 16 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets survived a Minnesota Timberwolves comeback to win 115-112 in the NBA.

The Timberwolves erased an 18-point deficit in the space of 12 minutes to lead 84-82 in the third quarter.

Denver edged back in front in the fourth, before Anthony Edwards missed a late chance to force overtime when his attempted three-pointer hit the rim.

“You have to put teams away,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone.

“That’s something we really have to get better at.”

Malone said a late tactical change limited the impact of Timberwolves guard Edwards, who failed to add to his 30-point tally in the fourth quarter.

“We threw an extra body at him,” he said. “One guy trying to guard Anthony Edwards is a challenge for anyone in the NBA, so we started throwing bodies at him to get the ball out of his hands.”

Victory at Target Center in Minneapolis lifted NBA champions Denver into second in the Western Conference behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Kyrie Irving scored 28 points and Luka Doncic recorded his 18th triple double of the season – 18 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds – as the Dallas Mavericks won 113-107 at Texas rivals the San Antonio Spurs.

Zion Williamson‘s 28 points helped the New Orleans Pelicans to a 104-91 win at the Brooklyn Nets.

The Orlando Magic made it four wins in a row with a 112-92 home victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

Jalen Green scored 42 points and Amen Thompson 25 as the Houston Rockets cruised to a 137-114 win at the Washington Wizards.