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Jokic notches triple-double as Nuggets edge spurs in front of packed Pepsi Center crowd

DENVER (AP) - Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists before fouling out, Wilson Chandler had 18 points and a season-high 16 rebounds, and the Denver Nuggets beat the San Antonio Spurs 122-119 on Friday night.
Feb 23, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets teammates react with Nikola Jokic as he comes off the court after fouling out in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

DENVER (AP) - Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists before fouling out, Wilson Chandler had 18 points and a season-high 16 rebounds, and the Denver Nuggets beat the San Antonio Spurs 122-119 on Friday night.

Jokic has a triple-double in three straight games and six this season, but didn't stick around for the finish. He was called for five fouls in the fourth quarter and fouled out on a charge with 1:46 left.

Gary Harris scored 23 points to help Denver win its fourth straight and seventh in its last eight.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 36 points and Patty Mills scored 20 for San Antonio. The Spurs lost for the sixth time in seven games despite the return of Aldridge, who missed the last two games before the All-Star break to rest his sore right knee. He looked strong Friday, hitting 13 of 23 shots and 12 of 14 free throws.

The Spurs rallied from down nine in the fourth to take a two-point lead late in the game. They were 14 of 17 from the line in the fourth quarter but couldn't hold on.

With the game tied at 114, Harris made a layup to put Denver up for good. Mills made a free throw and Harris scored on a step-back jumper and then a dunk with 45 seconds left to make it 120-115.

After Aldridge hit a jumper to cut it to three with 33 seconds left, Mason Plumlee's dunk with 10 seconds to play sealed it.

TIP-INS

Spurs: Pau Gasol had 12 points and 12 rebounds. ... Denver's 63 points were the most San Antonio has allowed in the first half this season. ... F Rudy Gay returned from a right heel injury and played 19 minutes. Gay missed 23 games. ... G Danny Green (illness) did not play.

Nuggets: F Plumlee returned after missing eight games with a right calf strain. ... G Will Barton missed practices Wednesday and Thursday due to strep throat but was able to play. ... F Torrey Craig was out with a left hamstring strain.

UP NEXT

Spurs: At Cleveland on Sunday afternoon.

Nuggets: Host Houston on Sunday night.

(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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