NBA roundup: Popovich ties for 3rd on wins list

Popovich earned the 1,221st victory of his career, tying him with Jerry Sloan
for third on the NBA's all-time list among coaches. The 23rd-year Spurs coach
trails only Don Nelson (1,335) and Lenny Wilkens (1,332).

San Antonio dominated the last three quarters after falling behind early. Just
as they did against the Utah Jazz on Saturday, the Pistons got off to a good
start, jumping out to a 21-9 lead with 4:55 remaining in the first quarter.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting for the Spurs, who have
won five straight and six of their last seven. Blake Griffin had 34 points and
eight assists, and Andre Drummond had 19 points and 14 rebounds in defeat for
the Pistons, who have lost five of six.

Rockets 125, Nuggets 113

James Harden produced another sparkling double-double but this time received
plenty of help as Houston extended its home-court winning streak to 10 games
with a victory over Western Conference-leading Denver.

Harden paired 32 points with 14 assists. The Rockets also received a
career-high 31 points from center Clint Capela (plus nine rebounds) and 21
points apiece from P.J. Tucker and Gerald Green. The Rockets bounced back
after having their six-game win streak end Saturday against the Trail Blazers.

Houston finished 22 of 47 from behind the arc to outflank the Nuggets, who had
a five-game winning streak snapped and lost to the Rockets for the second time
this season. Nikola Jokic paced Denver with 24 points and 13 rebounds.

Celtics 116, Nets 95

Marcus Smart drained 3-pointers on consecutive possessions in the first
quarter to begin a game-changing run by host Boston, which went on to beat
Brooklyn.

The Celtics have won three straight and four of five. The Nets, who were
trying to reach .500 beyond the midway point of the season for the first time
since the 2013-14 campaign, had a three-game winning streak snapped and lost
for just the fourth time in the last 16 games.

Kylie Irving, who returned after missing two games with a left eye injury,
scored 17 points to lead a balanced Celtics attack. Seven other players scored
in double figures for Boston. Rookie Rodions Kurucs scored 24 points and
drained five 3-pointers for the Nets.

Bucks 114, Jazz 102

Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 30 points and 10 rebounds to help Milwaukee
register a win over visiting Utah.

Malcolm Brogdon added 21 points for the Bucks, who won for the 10th time in
their past 12 games. Brook Lopez contributed 15 points and eight rebounds,
Thon Maker also scored 15 and Khris Middleton had 14 points and seven
rebounds.

Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points for the Jazz but missed all five shots while
going scoreless in the fourth quarter. Rudy Gobert added 14 points and 15
rebounds.

Lakers 107, Mavericks 97

Los Angeles put together a dominant third quarter to rally from a 15-point
deficit and win at Dallas.

Brandon Ingram scored a season-high 29 points, Lonzo Ball had 21 and Michael
Beasley, with 13 points, was key contributor in a third quarter the Lakers won
32-13. Los Angeles earned just its second victory in seven games playing
without injured star LeBron James.

Mavs rookie Luka Doncic finished with a team-high 27 points and grabbed eight
rebounds.

Pelicans 114, Grizzlies 95

Anthony Davis had 36 points and 13 rebounds as host New Orleans defeated
Memphis. The Pelicans, who handed the Cavaliers their ninth consecutive loss
on Saturday in Cleveland, gave the Grizzlies their sixth consecutive loss.

The Pelicans last won consecutive games during a three-game winning streak
from Nov. 16-19. Memphis dropped to 3-13 since a 107-103 victory against the
host Pelicans on Dec. 7.

Frank Jackson came off the bench to add 17 points for the Pelicans. Mike
Conley led Memphis with 22 points and 10 assists, JaMychal Green came off the
Grizzlies' bench to score 16.

--Field Level Media