NEW ORLEANS — Donovan Mitchell scored 14 points in his return from a seven-game absence and the Cleveland Cavaliers combined for 20 3-pointers in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Mitchell, who made four 3s, was one of four Cavs with at least that many, along with Darius Garland (six) and Sam Merrill (five) and Georges Niang (four). Cleveland finished 20 of 45 from deep, while the Pelicans made just 4 of 22 from long range in losing for the first time in five games.
Garland finished with 27 points and 11 assists for his second straight double-double. Center Jarrett Allen had 17 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Niang scored 16 and Merrill 15.
Zion Williamson had 33 points and nine rebounds for New Orleans. Brandon Ingram scored 20 and Trey Murphy III 11. New Orleans outscored Cleveland 56-52 in the paint and 21-2 at the foul line — statistical advantages that were more than negated by the dramatic shooting disparity at 3 points.
PISTONS 113, RAPTORS 104
DETROIT — Jalen Duren had a career-high 23 rebounds, along with 24 points and five assists. Detroit Pistons won three of four matches for the first time in almost two years, beating the Toronto Raptors 113-104 Wednesday.
Detroit, which trailed by 16 points in the second quarter, had not won three of four games since the end of the 2021-22 season – a streak of 145 games.
Duren had his second game this season with at least 20 points, 20 rebounds and five assists. Nikola Jokic and Domantas Sabonis are the only other players to have two this season.
Cade Cunningham added 19 points for Detroit, with six players scoring in double figures. The Pistons have the second-worst record in the league, one game ahead of Washington.
MAGIC 114, NETS 106
ORLANDO, Fla. — Paolo Banchero had 21 points and nine assists to lead the Magic of Orlando to a victory over the Brooklyn nets.
Six other Orlando players scored in double figures, including Wendell Carter Jr., who had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Jalen Suggs, who scored 11 of his 14 points in the first quarter to help the Magic take a lead of 17 points which kept them. before the rest of the match.
Cam Thomas led the Nets with 21 points and eight rebounds.
Mikal Bridges scored all 17 of his points in the second half for Brooklyn, and Dennis Schroeder and Cam Johnson added 13 points each.
Suggs made three 3-pointers and Orlando shot 67% in the first quarter to take a 33-16 lead.
Thomas and Dennis Smith went on a 16-5 run to close the first half with Brooklyn trailing just 61-54.
DENVER 100, MIAMI 88
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MIAMI – Michael Porter Jr. scored 25 points, Aaron Gordon added 16 and the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets took sole possession of first place in the Western Conference standings thanks to a victory on the slide Miami heat in a rematch in the final.
Jamal Murray scored 14 points and Nikola Jokic finished with 12 points, 14 rebounds and six assists for the Nuggets (46-20), who edged Oklahoma City (45-20) by a half-game and a full game ahead of Minnesota (45-21) in the West race.
Denver is an NBA-best 10-1 since the All-Star break.
Bam Adebayo scored 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for Miami. Jimmy Butler scored 15, Terry Rozier scored 14 and Duncan Robinson added 11 for the Heat (35-30), who are now 2 1/2 games behind Orlando – winner against Brooklyn on Wednesday – in the race of the South-East division.
HORNETS 110, GRIZZBELIS 98
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Miles Bridges scored 27 points, rookie Vasa Micic added a career-high 25 and the Charlotte Frelons defeated the Memphis Grizzlies.
Micic shot 9 of 10, including 5 of 6 from 3-point range, and had eight assists. Grant Williams added 18 points for the Hornets. Tre Mann, who missed the previous three games with a groin injury, finished with 10 points, as did Brandon Miller.
GG Jackson led the Grizzlies with 26 points, while Luke Kennard scored 17. Trey Jemison had 14 points and John Konchar finished with 13 points and nine rebounds for the Grizzlies, who have lost three of four.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Hornets coach Steve Clifford reminded the officials that Charlotte had not shot a free throw for three quarters. The Hornets finally reached the line with 10:13 remaining. Mann, attempting to convert a three-point play, missed the free throw.
