Orlando gets first win in 8 games, ruins Gordon's return

Wed, Dec 1, 2021
NBA News (AP)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Cole Anthony scored 24 points, Wendell Carter Jr. added 18 points and the Orlando Magic rallied from an early 16-point deficit to defeat the Denver Nuggets 108-103 and end their seven-game losing streak.

The Magic took their first lead of the night at 106-103 when rookie Franz Wagner drilled a step-back 3-pointer with 1:45 to play.

The Magic's rally ruined the return of Nuggets' forward Aaron Gordon, who played at the Amway Center for the first time since Orlando traded him to Denver on March 28. Gordon scored 17 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had three thunderous dunks.

Anthony, who returned after missing the previous six games with an ankle injury, had his ninth 20-point game and chipped in eight rebounds and seven assists.

Monte Morris scored a season-best 22 points, while Nikola Jokic had 18 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists for the Nuggets.

HAWKS 114, PACERS 111

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Trae Young made two crucial free throws in the final seconds of the game to help Atlanta fend off Indiana.

Pacers rookie Chris Duarte came up with a steal late in the game, but was unable to convert a contested layup. Young was fouled and made the final two of his 33 points. Young also had 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Hawks.

Kevin Huerter finished with 19 points, and John Collins scored 14 for Atlanta.

Malcolm Brogdon led the Pacers with 27 points. Domantas Sabonis scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Myles Turner had 17 points and nine rebounds.

WIZARDS 115, TIMBERWOLVES 107

WASHINGTON (AP) - Montrezl Harrell scored 27 points and Bradley Beal added 19 to lift Washington over Minnesota.

Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns had to leave the game with 2:14 remaining after injuring himself on a dunk.

Towns scored only two of his 34 points in the final period - and that was when he got free along the baseline for a dunk. After slamming the ball through, his momentum caused his body to fall horizontally and he appeared to land on his tailbone.

Daniel Gafford had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Wizards, who were back home after a four-game road trip.

CAVALIERS 111, HEAT 85

MIAMI (AP) - Kevin Love scored 22 points to help Cleveland snap a 20-game losing streak in Miami.

Jarrett Allen added 19 points and 11 rebounds and Darius Garland finished with 16 points for the Cavaliers, who had not won on the Heat's home court since Jan. 25, 2010. The Cavaliers also got a double-double from Evan Mobley with his 17-point, 11-rebound outing.

Tyler Herro scored 21 points for Miami. Dewayne Dedmon started at center in place of Bam Adebayo, who learned Wednesday that he's likely out until at least mid-January with a torn right-thumb ligament. ___

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