NBA highlights on Dec. 16: Nuggets beat Raptors 95-86

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Nikola Jokic scored 26 points, Murray had 15 of his 19 in the fourth quarter and the banged-up Nuggets rallied past the equally banged-up Toronto Raptors 95-86 on Sunday night in a contest between conference leaders.

Trailing 70-57 in the third quarter, the Nuggets went on a 23-2 run to send them to their 10th win in 12 games and retain a slim lead over Golden State in the Western Conference. This marks the latest the Nuggets (20-9) have been in first place in the West since December 18, 1984, according to information by Elias Sports Bureau.

Kawhi Leonard (R) of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, U.S., December 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

They've now beaten the Raptors (twice), Golden State and Boston.

"I guess maybe it says we're the best team for the time being," Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. "There are a lot of games left. I think one thing we've done a really good job of is tempering our own excitement."

Kawhi Leonard had 29 points and 14 rebounds for the Eastern Conference-leading Raptors, who finished 2-2 on their trip. They still own the league's best mark at 23-9.

Jamal Murray (L) of the Denver Nuggets drives against Danny Green of the Toronto Raptors at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, U.S., December 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

Murray led the charge with eight straight points early in the fourth. The defense stepped up, too, as the Raptors didn't score their first field goal in the final quarter until Leonard's dunk with 7:42 remaining.

Toronto pulled to 86-83 with 3:28 left, but Mason Plumlee's easy bucket gave Denver some breathing room. The Raptors were four of 23 from the field in the fourth quarter, including one of 13 from three-point land.

Mason Plumlee (L) of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, U.S., December 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

Both teams had several key players on the bench due to injuries. The Raptors were without Kyle Lowry (thigh), Pascal Siakam (back), Fred VanVleet (back) and Jonas Valanciunas (thumb).

The Nuggets didn't have Will Barton (right hip/core muscle surgery), Gary Harris (hip) and Paul Millsap (big toe).

The Nuggets beat the Raptors 106-103 on December 3 in Toronto. In that game, Jokic had 23 points, 15 assists, and 11 rebounds.

Jokic was a handful again. He also had nine rebounds.

Other games on Sunday included: (away teams come first)

Atlanta Hawks 127 – 144 Brooklyn Nets

Philadelphia 76ers 128 – 105 Cleveland Cavaliers

New York Knicks 99 – 110 Indiana Pacers

Los Angeles Lakers 110 – 128 Washington Wizards

Sacramento Kings 120 – 113 Dallas Mavericks

Miami Heat 102 – 96 New Orleans Pelicans

Source(s): AP