(The Sports Xchanger) Cory Joseph scored a career-high 33 points in place of a resting Kyle Lowry, leading the Toronto Raptors to a 119-109 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.
The Raptors announced shortly before the opening tip Lowry was resting some bumps and bruises. Lowry was active and in warmup gear as he watched Joseph turn in the best game of his five-year career.
Heat 109, Rockets 103
James Harden produced his 13th triple-double of the season, but it wasn’t enough as Miami upset Houston at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Harden, who had six turnovers, had 40 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. He made 12-of-30 shots from the floor, including 4-of-15 from 3-point range. He also made 12 of 13 free throws.
Mavericks 99, Bulls 98
Harrison Barnes scored 20 points, Seth Curry had 18 and Wesley Matthews hit a 3-pointer with 11.7 seconds remaining to lift Dallas to a win over Chicago.
J.J. Barea had 12 points for Dallas (14-27), which won its third straight game. Matthews and Deron Williams both finished with 11 points.
Spurs 122, Timberwolves 114
Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 29 as San Antonio shrugged off a ragged first three quarters and rolled to a 122-114 win over Minnesota at the AT&T Center.
Leonard’s rebound and rush down the court for a dunk over two Minnesota defenders with 7:36 to play highlighted a 20-2 run for San Antonio that turned a 90-83 deficit into a 103-92 lead.
Nuggets 127, Lakers 121
Nikola Jokic scored 29 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and Denver extended the woes of Los Angeles with a victory at Staples Center.
Will Barton contributed 26 points and eight assists, Kenneth Faried added 20 points and seven rebounds and Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Emmanuel Mudiay each chipped in 14 points for the Nuggets (17-23), who won on the Lakers’ home floor for the seventh consecutive time.