PHILADELPHIA: The winless Philadelphia Sixers cut a 25-point, first-half deficit to just five in the closing minutes, before the San Antonio Spurs hung on for a 109-103 victory.
Forward Kawhi Leonard scored 26-points, pulled in 10 rebounds and made four assists for the Spurs, who were without the resting Tim Duncan and injured Tony Parker.
Australian center Aron Baynes had a career-high 15 points and nine rebounds for San Antonio (13-4), who won their eighth successive game.
Philadelphia fell to 0-17 despite 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists from guard Michael Carter-Williams.
Wizards 107, Heat 86
Swingman Rasual Butler scored 23 points and guard John Wall had 18 points and 13 assists as the Washington Wizards blitzed the Miami Heat 107-86.
Center Marcin Gortat had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Wizards (10-5), who led the Heat by as many as 25 points. Center Chris Bosh scored 21 points while guard Dwyane Wade contributed 20 points for the Heat (9-8).
Nuggets 103, Jazz 101
Point guard Ty Lawson hit a go-ahead jumper and forward Darrell Arthur nailed two clutch free throws to lift the Denver Nuggets to a 103-101 win over the Utah Jazz.
Lawson finished with 15 points and 12 assists as the Nuggets improved to 9-8 with their eighth victory in 10 games. Denver led by as many as 22 points in the first half but the Jazz (5-13) had a couple of chances to tie or take a lead in the final moments only to fall short.
Clippers 127, Timberwolves 101
Forward Blake Griffin and guard J.J. Redick scored 23 points apiece, and the Los Angeles Clippers rolled past the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-101.
Redick, who made seven of 11 shots from the floor, including four of five three-point attempts, scored 17 first-half points as the Clippers (12-5) claimed a season-high fifth straight win and earned their 10th consecutive verdict over the Timberwolves (4-12).
REUTERS
