Jokic Shines as Nuggets Beat Celtics

Nikola Jokic starred as reigning NBA champions the Denver Nuggets beat Eastern Conference leaders the Boston Celtics 115-109.

Jokic scored 32 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his 20th triple-double of the season.

The in-form Nuggets have won seven out of eight matches since the break for the NBA All-Star game last month.

Jaylen Brown scored 41 points for Boston, who suffer back-to-back losses for just the second time this season.

The Celtics remain on top of the Eastern Conference despite the defeat.

Denver are third in the West, one game behind leaders the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jokic played down suggestions the match between two of the league’s leading sides could be a preview of the NBA finals later this year.

Elsewhere, Luka Doncic finished with 35 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Miami Heat 114-108.

The Minnesota Timberwolves edged to a 113-111 win over the Indiana Pacers in a see-saw match in which the lead changed hands 17 times.