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SPORTS Monday 3 February 2020
Pistons rally to beat Nuggets 128-123 in OT, snap skid

By NOAH TRISTER Brown added a 3-pointer
AP Sports Writer that made it 116-112. Drum-
DETROIT (AP) — It took De- mond fouled out with 2:43
troit just over half a quarter left, but Detroit was able to
to fall behind by 21. Then hold on.
the Pistons rallied almost as Jokic made a 3-pointer
quickly. with 29.4 seconds left that
"We came out as flat as a made it 126-123, but Thon
pancake," coach Dwane Maker answered with an
Casey said. "But the sec- alley-oop dunk from Tony
ond group came in and Snell at the other end to
played." push the lead to five with
Bruce Brown had 19 points, 16.5 seconds left.
10 rebounds and eight as- "When that last lob went
sists, and fellow reserve up to Thon, I did hold my
guard Reggie Jackson breath," Casey said. "Time,
scored 20 points to lift the score, situation — but he
Pistons to a 128-123 over- made it, so it worked out."
time victory over the Den- The Nuggets were play-
ver Nuggets on Sunday. ing for the third time in four
Andre Drummond added days, and the 12:30 p.m.
21 points and 17 rebounds start time — 10:30 a.m.
for Detroit, which snapped back in Denver — made
a five-game losing streak. for another potential chal- Denver Nuggets forward Jerami Grant, left, reaches in as teammate center Nikola Jokic knocks
It was the 400th career lenge. The Nuggets looked the ball away from Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first half of an NBA
basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, in Detroit.
double-double for the just fine at the outset, mak- Associated Press
26-year-old Drummond. ing 16 of their first 20 shots
Only Dwight Howard, who from the field. They led 28-7 It was tight down the Detroit guard exited with a ready to play and help us
was 25, has reached that and 31-10, but that three- stretch. Jackson missed a left groin issue. Rose finished and defend, and you can't
milestone at a younger touchdown lead on Super runner in the final seconds with two points in 12:52. come in the game and al-
age. Nikola Jokic had 39 Bowl Sunday didn't last. of regulation with the score "Next man up," Brown said. low three straight blow-bys
points, 11 assists and 10 re- "I was so impressed with the tied at 111. "Everybody has to be ready for layups."
bounds for Denver. start of the game on both Rookie forward Michael to play." TIP-INS
It was an impressive day for ends of the floor," Den- Porter Jr. joined the list of in- DEPTH Nuggets: Denver had its
Detroit's younger players. ver coach Michael Malo- jured Denver players, miss- Detroit's reserves outscored highest-scoring first quarter
Brown, who is in his second ne said. "We went to our ing the game because of Denver's 62-26. Malik Beas- of the season, and the 44
NBA season, played the bench and right when we a right ankle problem. The ley (12 points) was the only points equaled the team's
most of anyone on the Pis- went to our bench, it was Nuggets are also without backup for the Nuggets highest total in any quarter.
tons. Rookie Sekou Doum- like the bottom fell out." Paul Millsap (left knee), Ja- who scored in double fig- ... It was the 10th triple-dou-
bouya scored all 17 of his Denver led 44-30 at the mal Murray (left ankle) and ures. ble of the season for Jokic
points in the first half to help end of the first quarter. De- Mason Plumlee (right foot). "I just apologized to (start- and the 38th of his career.
Detroit dig out of its early troit rallied in the second, SNAPPED ing forward) Jerami Grant," Pistons: Luke Kennard
hole. Drummond put the tying the game with a 21-8 Derrick Rose's steak of 14 Malone said. "I played him (knee) missed the game. ...
Pistons ahead to stay with a run and eventually taking a straight games with at least 45 minutes tonight. That's Snell surpassed 600 3-point-
dunk early in overtime, and 68-65 lead into halftime. 20 points ended when the insane. But guys have to be ers for his career.q

Antetokounmpo lifts Bucks over Booker-led Suns 129-108

By ANDREW WAGNER — including back-to-back PG Jared Harper were re-
Associated Press from Dante DiVincenzo — called from Northern Arizo-
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The to snuff out the rally. na of the G-League. Frank
Milwaukee Bucks have lost "It was a game until they Kaminsky and Aron Baynes
28 games since the start hit those three 3s in a row," also sat out. Baynes was
of last season. Only once Phoenix coach Monty Wil- active but remained on
did they follow one defeat liams said. "I'm proud of the the sideline with a hip in-
with another. way the guys competed." jury.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Ayton had 20 points and Bucks: PG Dante DiVin-
had 30 points and 19 re- 14 rebounds, and the Suns cenzo scored 15 points
bounds, and the Bucks shot 39% and made just 6 after missing Milwaukee's
rebounded yet again by of 23 from deep. game Friday against Den-
beating the Phoenix Suns Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots against TIP-INS ver with a sprained left
129-108 Sunday — two the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball Suns: G Ricky Rubio (right ankle. ... The Bucks are still
days after a loss to Denver. game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, in Milwaukee. Associated Press ankle), G Ty Jerome (left without George Hill, who
"A good response," Bucks calf) and PF Dario Saric also missed Friday's game
coach Mike Budenholzer points, eight rebounds and quarter surge by Phoenix, (ankle) sat out, leaving with a strained right ham-
said. "Not our best, but a six assists. Brook Lopez add- and the deficit dropped to coach Monty Williams with string. ... The Bucks' magic
steady, good response." ed 17 points, and the Bucks nine when DeAndre Ayton just 11 players. ... SF Elie number to clinch a playoff
Antetokounmpo reached shot 49.5% and made 15 dropped a hook shot with Okobo made his third start spot is now 8. ... Milwaukee
the 30-point mark for the of 38 from 3-point range. 3:51 left in the quarter. Mil- of the season in place of scored at least 100 points
26th time, and fellow All- Devin Booker scored 32 waukee responded with Rubio, and PF Tariq Ow- for a 73rd consecutive
Star Khris Middleton had 25 points and spurred a third- three straight 3-pointers ens, PG Jalen Lecque and game.q