NBA: Denver Nuggets, without Jokic, stopped Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder beat the clippers

Without Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets An important duel in the west was taken this Sunday Houston Rocketsthat he had won his last nine meetings, while Oklahoma City Thunder surpassed a Los Angeles Clippers and continue with the best record of the league.

Despite playing for the fourth game followed without Jokic, the Nuggets (45-27), third of the West, won as visitors to the Rockets (46-26), seconds of the same conference, thanks to a recital by Jamal Murray with 39 points (15 of 28 in shots) and 7 assists. Those of Mike Malone present a 10-1 when the Canadian puts 30 or more points.

Six of the nine players used Denver finished with more than 10 points. Michael Porter Jr. (17 points and 9 rebounds), Aaron Gordon (13 points and 8 assists) and Deandre Jordan (11 points and 15 rebounds) stood out.

Jalen Green (30 points) and Alperen Sengun (triple-double with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists) led some rockets that did not lose in their stadium since March 1 against the Kings.

Accustomed to overwhelming his rivals and having very quiet ending, El Thunder (59-12) had to work until the end in his visit to the clippers (40-31) who, with 40 seconds and only one point below, had two options to get up (a triple by Norman Powell and a shot of two Kawhi Leonard) but the exceptional defense of Oklahoma City prevented both situations.

Without Chet Holmgren or Jalen Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 26 points and 8 assists despite a misguided 7 of 29 in shots. Aaron Wiggins achieved 19 points and Isaiah Hartenstein contributed a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, Aumas of 6 assists.

Oklahoma City has six triumphs in a row and 13 in its last 14 games. If you keep the best record of the NBA you will have the advantage of Localí during all the playoffs.

In the clippers, James Harden achieved 17 points that allowed him to overcome Moses Malone to place himself as the eleventh scorer of the NBA history. Kawhi got 25 points and 10 rebounds and Ivica Zubac achieved 15 points and 11 rebounds.

After four followed losses that marked their worst streak of the season, the Cavaliers (57-14) recovered in Utah and are the great rival of Thunder (59-12) to have the best record of the league.

The first half of Cleveland was gray with a 45-51 in his favor to rest and a lousy 3 of 25 in triples, but in the third quarter they showed their best version with a blunt 19-37 that took them to the last twelve minutes with the wrapped victory (64-88). None of the stars of the Cavaliers stepped on the court in the last period.

Six players from Kenny Atkinson finished with double scoring digits, including Jarrett Allen (18 points and 6 rebounds), Donovan Mitchell (16 points), Darius Garland (12 points and 7 rebounds) and Evan Mobley (11 points and 11 rebounds).

Kyle Filipowski (18 points and 13 rebounds) was the top scorer of a jazz without Lauri Markkanen and John Collins and is last in the west (16-56).

With five triumphs in a row and ten in their last eleven meetings, the Celtics (52-19), with a great choral contribution, beat the Blazers (32-40) despite not having Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday.

Jayson Tatum stayed on the verge of triple-double (30 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists) and had the support of five other companions with double digits at points. Sam Hauser shone especially with 24 points and a sensational 8 of 10 in triples. The Dominican Al Horford contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds.

Shaedon Sharpe (23 points and 6 rebounds) and Deni Avdija (17 points and 11 rebounds) were the most prominent of Portland.

The Heat (30-41) had touched the bottom with ten consecutive losses and a project wrapped in a thousand questions after the departure of Jimmy Butler, but at least this Sunday he returned to the path of the victory against the Hornets (18-53).

Andrew Wiggins signed his best game in Miami with 42 points (Magnificent 16 of 21 in shots with 6 of 8 in triples), while Tyler Herro added 29 with 6 rebounds. Lamelo Ball (18 points and 11 assists) and Miles Bridges (17 points and 13 rebounds) led Charlotte, which was already eliminated from the playoffs.

In the rest of the day meetings, Detroit Pistons beat New Orleans Pelicans (136-130), San Antonio Spurs beat Toronto Raptors (123-89) and Atlanta Hawks beat Philadelphia 76ers (132-119).