The Morning Dunk is back as always to recap all of Tuesday's NBA action with the best news, highlights, and betting odds going today.
Nuggets Survive Depleted Timberwolves
Even in defeat, the Minnesota Timberwolves can rest easy knowing they pushed the reigning champions to the limit while missing several of their most important players.
The Denver Nuggets got 35 points and 16 rebounds from Nikola Jokic and a double-double of 18 points and 11 assists from Jamal Murray in a tight 115-112 victory over Minnesota at the Target Center.
The Timberwolves were missing Rudy Gobert (ribs), Naz Reid (head), and of course Karl-Anthony Towns (knee). They trailed by 15 points at halftime but rallied late to close the gap, although Denver nailed its free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Another Joker triple. CLUTCH. 🃏
— NBA (@NBA) March 20, 2024
32 PTS
Nuggets-Timberwolves | Live on NBA TV
📲 https://t.co/i20qPDL3uT pic.twitter.com/UjHKm1mDVE
The Nuggets are a mere percentage points out of being the first seed in the Western Conference, and now lead Minnesota by a full game in the win-loss column.
Pelicans Roll Through Brooklyn, Handle Nets
The New Orleans Pelicans clinched their second-straight winning season on Tuesday, something the franchise hasn't accomplished since 2009.
Led by Zion Williamson's 28 points, New Orleans thoroughly handled the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center in a 104-91 win. It was the team's third victory in a row and seventh in their last eight outings.
We'll be watching this one a few times 🤯
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) March 20, 2024
Zion Williamson perfected the Alley Oop for Dunk of the Night 👏 pic.twitter.com/HBecPGbMak
New Orleans improved to 6-1-1 over its last eight games against the spread after successfully covering as the seven-point favorites against the Nets.
Mavericks Sweep Season Series With Spurs
Four opportunities, and four chances squandered for the San Antonio Spurs to pick up a single win against their Southwest Division rivals.
Luka Doncic notched his 18th triple-double of the 2023-24 campaign and eighth in his last 10 games, ending with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 16 assists as the Dallas Mavericks prevailed 113-107 at the Frost Bank Center.
It's just the second time in franchise history that Dallas has swept a season series against San Antonio.
LUKA DONCIC WITH THE UNREAL LOB TO DERRICK JONES JR. 🤯pic.twitter.com/N9pPE8EHmi
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 20, 2024
Doncic's Most Valuable Player odds remain third overall in the race at +750 behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+460) and Jokic (-310).
