Barton's Layup In Waning Seconds Lifts Nuggets Past Bulls, 111-110
DENVER (AP) — Will Barton capped a career-high 37 points with a driving layup with 3.2 seconds left and the Denver Nuggets overcame the loss of Nikola Jokic to beat the Chicago Bulls, 111-110, on Thursday night.
Gary Harris added 21 points, and Kenneth Faried had 14 points and 13 rebounds for Denver.
Jokic went down in with 44 seconds left in the second quarter when he drove to the basket and stepped on Jerian Grant's foot. Jokic hit two free throws before heading to the locker room with an obvious limp. He didn't return in the second half.
Lauri Markanen and Robin Lopez had 20 points each for Chicago, and Kris Dunn added 19. The Bulls have lost seven straight to finish 2-13 in November and drop to 3-17 overall.
The Bulls, who led for most of the game, took advantage of Jokic's absence and led 108-105 in the final minute. Barton was fouled on a 3-point attempt and hit all three free throws to tie it, then made 1 of 2 to give Denver a one-point lead with 20 seconds left.
Dunn gave Chicago the lead with a layup with 9.6 seconds left, but Barton drove the length of the court and hit a reverse layup.
Chicago led 68-62 at halftime but Denver rallied to briefly take the lead in the third quarter. Grant hit a 3-pointer at the end of the third to put the Bulls ahead 92-91.
TIP-INS
Bulls: F Nikola Mirotic has increased his practice load and is close to returning. "He's really in training camp mode," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "He's had a lot of individual work but nothing simulates that playing up and down, five-on-five type action. Mirotic has been out since a preseason altercation with teammate Bobby Portis left him with several broken bones in his face as well as a concussion. ... Zach LaVine (left ACL tear) will have a full practice Friday after going through individual drills Thursday.
Nuggets: F Wilson Chandler was out for the second straight game with low back soreness. Juancho Hernangomez again got the start in his place. ... Richard Jefferson played a season-high 12 minutes.
UP NEXT
Bulls: Host Sacramento on Friday night.
Nuggets: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night in Lonzo Ball's first game at Pepsi Center.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.