Denver has the back-to-back MVP but that's not enough

Jalen Brunson returned from injury on Saturday and led the New York Knicks to a 116-110 NBA victory over Western Conference leader Denver.The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Golden State Warriors 133-119 while the Chicago Bulls defeated the Miami Heat 113-99 and the Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Clippers.

A foot injury had limited point guard Brunson to just one appearance in the Knicks' past six games but he was influential in handing two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets their fifth defeat in their past six games. Brunson scored 24 points and delivered the key assist, with an alley-oop pass, to Mitchell Robinson that secured the triumph with 24 seconds left. Serbian Jokic finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists but also gave up six turnovers.

Markelle Fultz scored a career-high 28 points and Wendell Carter Jr. produced 27 points and 12 rebounds as the Orlando Magic beat the Los Angeles Clippers 113-108. The Clippers, who were without the injured Kawhi Leonard, made a slow start and were eight points behind within two minutes. The Clippers who ended a four-game winning streak, paid the price for 15 turnovers.

In the last three minutes, Fultz drove in to put the Magic ahead 111-106 before Eric Gordon scored to make it a three-point game only for Fultz to drain two free throws. Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley was full of praise for Fultz, who has overcome serious injuries in his career, and the way he is playing. Fultz was 10 for 17 from the field and also snapped up six rebounds. Paul George led the Clippers with 30 points.

Saturday’s home game against the reigning champions Golden State was the final game of Ja Morant's suspension after he streamed a video of himself brandishing a gun in a strip club. Jaren Jackson Jr stepped up with 31 points while Desmond Bane contributed 26 points in a game which Memphis dominated from the outset.

Golden State got within one possession twice in the fourth quarter but Memphis went on a 21-3 run to secure their fourth win in the last five games. It was the 11th straight road loss for Golden State.

The Bulls, who had come off a  double-overtime win the previous evening, held off a late rally from the Heat with DeMar DeRozan scoring 24 points.

Miami's loss ensured playoff qualification for the Boston Celtics even before they took court and lost 118-117 to the Utah Jazz. The Celtics had a 19 point lead at one stage in the second quarter and fall to third in the East with the loss.

The Philadelphia 76ers picked up their eighth straight win with a 141-121 win over the Indiana Pacers with Joel Embiid top scoring with 31 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.

NBA

Regular season

Sunday

22.30: (2.30) Brooklyn (12.5) Denver (1.75)

22.30: (1.80) Oklahoma (12.5) Phoenix (2.25)

3.00: (4.00) San Antonio (15.0) Atlanta (1.30)

Monday

01.00: (4.30) Detroit (15.0) Miami (1.27)

01.55: (2.95) Houston (13.0) New Orleans (1.50)

03.00: (1.27) Milwaukee (15.0) Toronto (4.30)

04.00: (2.30) Portland (12.5) La Clipers (1.75)

04.30: (1.50) La Lakers (13.0) Orlando (2.95)

***odds are subject to change