Nuggets edge Clippers in playoff OT thriller

(UPDATE) LOS ANGELES — Nikola Jokic scored 29 points and Aaron Gordon added 25 as the Denver Nuggets edged the Los Angeles Clippers, 112-110, in an overtime thriller to open their NBA playoff series on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic added nine rebounds, 12 assists and three steals for the Nuggets, who erased an early 15-point deficit to grab the win in game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series.

Russell Westbrook came up big on both ends of the floor, his basket with 3:37 left in the fourth quarter giving the Nuggets their first lead since the first period.

After a flurry of lead changes Westbrook drilled a three-pointer that put Denver up 98-96 with 24.1 seconds left in regulation.

James Harden tied it, and the Clippers stymied the Nuggets on a final inbounds attempt to send it to the extra session — which Gordon opened with a dunk.

Denver wouldn't trail again and took a 108-104 lead with 59.8 seconds left when Jokic found Christian Braun for a three-pointer.

Their lead was at three points when Westbrook broke up a Clippers inbounds attempt, and Jokic sealed it at the free-throw line.

Harden led the Clippers with 32 points. Kawhi Leonard added 27 and Ivica Zubac had 21, but it was the Nuggets — who ended the regular season amid turmoil after sacking coach Michael Malone with three games remaining — who prevailed.

In Eastern Conference action, the New York Knicks put together a 21-0 scoring run in their 40-point fourth quarter to pull away for a 123-112 victory over the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden.

Jalen Brunson shook off a twisted ankle to score 23 of his 34 points in the second half while Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby scored 23 points apiece for the Knicks, who trailed by eight, 91-83, heading into the fourth quarter of a back and forth battle that featured 12 lead changes over the first three periods.

Tobias Harris scored 25 points and Cade Cunningham added 21 for the Pistons, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2019, but haven't won a playoff game since 2008.

The Indiana Pacers romped to a 117-98 victory over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in their Eastern Conference series opener.

Pascal Siakam scored 25 points to lead six players to score in double figures for the Pacers, who led by as many as 28 points on their home floor.

Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 36 points and grabbed 12 rebounds — but he had little support from his Bucks teammates, the remaining starters combining for just 14 points.