There were only two preseason games on Sunday, and one of those didn’t even feature two NBA teams. Let’s take a closer look.
NBA scores: Nuggets down Lakers, 76ers eke out win in Spain
Ty Lawson notched a double-double in a Nuggets victory, while Spencer Hawes played hero for the Sixers.
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODA
Nuggets 97, Lakers 88
Ty Lawson had 15 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to lead the Nuggets to a win over the Lakers in Los Angeles in Brian Shaw's first game roaming the Denver sideline. Jordan Hamilton also had 15 points, while JaVale McGee chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds.
The game was close throughout the first half before the Nuggets blew things open with a big third quarter. Denver took a 14-point lead into the final frame, stretching the margin to as many as 17 before Los Angeles made a run to cut their deficit to seven with just over five minutes left. However, the Lakers didn’t get any closer.
The game was especially sloppy, with both teams not shooting all that well and struggling with turnovers. The Lakers shot just 32.3 percent from the field, while the Nuggets turned the ball over a whopping 28 times.
Pau Gasol and Steve Nash both made their preseason debuts in the loss. Gasol had 13 points on 4-of-13 shooting to go along with four rebounds. Nash was held scoreless, but he did hand out six assists. Xavier Henry led the Lakers with 15 points.
Lakers forward Wesley Johnson left the game in the first half with a strained left foot.
76ers 106, Bilbao Basket 104
Spencer Hawes hit two free throws with 4.8 seconds left to push the rebuilding Sixers past Bilbao Basket in Spain. Bilbao had a chance to win it with a three at the buzzer, but Raul Lopez couldn't convert.
Evan Turner led Philadelphia with 25 points on 7-of-15 shooting. Tony Wroten added 16 points off the bench, doing most of his damage from the charity stripe with 10 made free throws. First-round pick Michael Carter-Williams only had three points on 1-of-5 shooting, but he did have six assists and didn't turn the ball over a single time.
The Sixers appeared on the verge of a blowout win in the second quarter, but Bilbao fought back and made it a game in the second half. The fourth quarter featured several wild swings before Philadelphia finally pulled it out in the end.
Dairis Bertans led Bilbao with 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Axel Hervelle added 14 points and 14 rebounds in the losing effort.
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