Spurs Get Past Raptors

(AP) — The San Antonio Spurs were able to win a matchup of division leaders despite playing without three of their stars.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 21 points and the Spurs earned their fifth consecutive win by nipping the Raptors, 108-106. Patty Mills added 18 points off the bench for San Antonio, which was without Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and Pau Gasol.

The Spurs own the NBA's second-best record at 36-9 and are a league-best 20-4 on the road.

The game featured eight lead changes in the fourth quarter before the Raptors absorbed their fourth straight loss, their longest skid since March of 2015. Kyle Lowry had 30 points and reserve Terrence Ross added 21 for the Raptors, who still lead the Atlantic Division by 1 ½ games over Boston.

Also in the NBA:

— Jameer Nelson scored seven of his 17 points in the last four minutes to keep the Denver Nuggets on top in a 103-93 win over Utah. Nikola Jokic had 23 points and 11 rebounds in the Nuggets' fifth win in seven games.

— Playing without teammate Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel scored 19 points and Richaun  Holmes had 18 as Philadelphia downed the Los Angeles Clippers, 121-110. The Sixers erased a 19-point deficit and ruined the return of L.A. forward Blake Griffin, who scored 12 points on 3-for-11 shooting in his first game since undergoing knee surgery last month.

— Washington ran its home winning streak to 14 games as Bradley Beal provided 13 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter of a 123-108 verdict over Boston. John Wall finished with 27 points and Markieff Morris added 19 and 11 rebounds in helping the Wizards deal the Celtics their third consecutive loss.

— Dwyane Wade was good for 21 points and Jimmy Butler scored 20 in Chicago's 100-92 win at Orlando. Doug McDermott led all Bulls reserves with 12 points on four 3-pointers.