NBA: Aaron Gordon's late FTs help Nuggets fend off Bucks

Aaron Gordon scored 23 points, including two crucial free throws with 4.4 seconds left, as the host Denver Nuggets held on to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 108-104 on Sunday night.

Tim Hardaway Jr. led Denver off the bench with 25 points, while Peyton Watson added 19. Zeke Nnaji contributed a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Jalen Pickett added 13 points. The Nuggets were without Jamal Murray and Christian Braun for the game. Murray missed his second straight contest due to a sore left ankle and illness, while Braun continued his recovery from a left ankle sprain after struggling in recent games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 31 points and 11 assists. Myles Turner scored 16 points, AJ Green and Bobby Portis added 14 apiece, and Kyle Kuzma contributed 11 points.

The Bucks cut Denver’s 14-point lead to 102-98 with 3:29 remaining. Antetokounmpo made a baseline fadeaway, and Ryan Rollins hit a layup to bring Milwaukee within 105-102 with 1:22 left.

Gordon missed a 3-pointer, Kevin Porter Jr. came up short on a layup, and Pickett missed a deep shot, giving the Bucks a final chance to tie with 32 seconds remaining. Milwaukee missed two 3-pointers and a layup, and Gordon grabbed the rebound before sinking one of two free throws with 9.2 seconds left to secure the win. Kuzma hit a driving layup for Milwaukee, but Gordon’s clutch free throws sealed Denver’s victory.

Denver had led 62-52 at halftime but struggled to start the third quarter, missing its first nine shots and committing three turnovers. Watson finally ended the drought with a 3-pointer with 5:35 remaining in the period. Milwaukee briefly took the lead 68-66 during a 16-4 run, but five empty possessions allowed Denver to respond with a 14-2 run and enter the fourth quarter up 85-74.

The Nuggets extended their lead to 90-76 early in the fourth quarter, and although the Bucks scored the next five points, Gordon’s three-point play pushed the advantage to 95-83. Milwaukee fought back defensively, forcing five straight misses and closing the gap to 95-89 midway through the fourth, but Denver held on for the win.

—Field Level Media/Reuters