04/10/26 10:40:00
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04/10 22:39 CDT Nuggets win 11th straight, beating Thunder 127-107 in battle of
reserves as playoffs approach
Nuggets win 11th straight, beating Thunder 127-107 in battle of reserves as
playoffs approach
By MICHAEL KELLY
Associated Press
DENVER (AP) --- Jonas Valanciunas had season highs of 23 points and 17
rebounds, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 127-107 in a
battle of reserves Friday night.
Denver (53-28) won its 11th straight game to secure at least the No. 4 seed in
the Western Conference. Julian Strawther finished with 22 points and David
Roddy had a season-high 21 points.
The Nuggets sat their entire starting lineup despite battling for home-court
advantage in the first round. A 21-5 run to open the fourth quarter gave them
the win they needed and kept them in position for the No. 3 seed. Denver
entered with a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Lakers, who were hosting
Phoenix.
The Nuggets, who finish the season at San Antonio on Sunday night, prioritized
rest over seeding.
"I think you just have to play it out with decisions that are best for your
team," coach David Adelman said before the game. "And we feel like tonight,
this is the best decision."
Oklahoma City clinched the top seed overall Wednesday night and opted to rest
most of its starting lineup. Lu Dort was the only starter who played for the
Thunder and finished with five points. Coach Mark Daigneault said Dort needs to
play at least 20 minutes in each of the final two games to qualify for season
awards.
Daigneault called timeout early in the third quarter when Dort hit the
20-minute mark.
Branden Carlson led the Thunder with 23 points.
Using just an eight-man rotation, the Thunder closed a nine-point deficit to
87-85 late in the third. Zeke Nnaji then hit a corner 3-pointer for Denver to
spark a 17-0 run.
Up next
Grizzlies: Host Phoenix on Sunday night.
Nuggets: At San Antonio on Sunday night.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
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