Nuggets edge Cavaliers 124-102

Nikola Jokic had 19 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds, Jamal Murray scored 26 points, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 124-102 on Saturday night. Jokic recorded his sixth triple-double of the season and fourth in January in just 28 minutes before sitting out the fourth quarter. Trey Lyles had 16 points, Monte Morris 15 and Paul Millsap scored 14 points for the Nuggets, who closed out their four game homestand, which ended 3-1, with routs of the two bottom teams in the Eastern Conference, Chicago and Cleveland, after falling to Golden State on Tuesday.

Ante Zizic had 23 points, Rodney Hood had 18 points, and Cedi Osman had 17 for the Cavaliers. Cleveland has lost three in a row and 15 of its last 16. The Cavaliers, who also got 13 points from Jordan Clarkson and 10 from Collin Sexton, host the Bulls on Monday afternoon. Cleveland's one win in the last month came against the Lakers in Los Angeles midway through their six-game road trip. The Cavaliers led midway through the first quarter but Jokic hit consecutive 3-pointers to tie the game at 20 with 5:01 left.

It sparked a 23-7 run to end the period that gave Denver a 37-25 lead heading into the second. Denver opened a 20-point lead on Morris' 3-pointer midway through the second, and Murray and Malik Beasley also hit from long range to make it 60-36 with 4:17 left before halftime. Jokic hit a layup and Murray two free throws, and Denver had a 70-46 lead at intermission. Murray hit an 11-foot jumper that gave Jokic his 10th assist of the night, and he got the triple-double when he grabbed Osman's missed 3-pointer with 3:29 left in the third. Jokic and most of Denver's regulars took the fourth quarter off. Guard Gary Harris and forward Will Barton, who are coming off lengthy injury stints, were on the court during mop-up time to help work them back into playing shape. 

(With inputs from agencies.)