NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson had 30 points and 15 assists, OG Anunoby scored 23 points and the New York Knicks beat the Denver Nuggets 122-112 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight victory.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 14 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for New York. The Knicks who had a strong start aided by Nikola Jokic's early foul trouble, then used a late spurt to pull away for good.
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New York Knicks' Miles McBride (2) drives past Denver Nuggets' DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Denver Nuggets' Christian Braun (0) defends New York Knicks' Josh Hart (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Precious Achiuwa (5) drives past Denver Nuggets' Peyton Watson (8) and DeAndre Jordan during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives past Denver Nuggets' Peyton Watson (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Miles McBride (2) shoots over Denver Nuggets' Russell Westbrook (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives past Denver Nuggets' Peyton Watson (8) and Christian Braun (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson (11) drives past Denver Nuggets' Russell Westbrook (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson, center, passes away from Denver Nuggets' Christian Braun, left, and Julian Strawther during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Jamal Murray scored 33 points for the Nuggets, who fell to 0-3 on their five-game trip. Jokic finished with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists, and Russell Westbrook had 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Jokic picked up two fouls in the first 1 1/2 minutes and went to the bench just over two minutes into the game after Anunoby blew by him to start a 15-0 run that gave the Knicks an 18-6 lead. Jokic didn't return until 7:14 remained in the first half and the NBA leader with 21 triple-doubles didn't reach double figures in any category until the fourth quarter.
Nuggets: Denver has given up 133, 129 and now 122 points to start the road trip, and it's hard to win anywhere with that kind of defense.
Knicks: New York had reached 140 points in consecutive games for the first time since 1965-66. The Knicks weren't quite as good Wednesday, but 122 points and nearly 52% shooting will win plenty of games.
Jokic and Aaron Gordon made consecutive 3-pointers to get Denver within four with about 5 1/2 minutes left, but the Knicks got eight of the next 10 points to reopen a double-digit lead.
New York pushed the ball at every opportunity, finishing with 25 fast-break points and 23 off turnovers.
The Nuggets visit Philadelphia on Friday night. The Knicks host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
New York Knicks' Miles McBride (2) drives past Denver Nuggets' DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Denver Nuggets' Christian Braun (0) defends New York Knicks' Josh Hart (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Precious Achiuwa (5) drives past Denver Nuggets' Peyton Watson (8) and DeAndre Jordan during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives past Denver Nuggets' Peyton Watson (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Miles McBride (2) shoots over Denver Nuggets' Russell Westbrook (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives past Denver Nuggets' Peyton Watson (8) and Christian Braun (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson (11) drives past Denver Nuggets' Russell Westbrook (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson, center, passes away from Denver Nuggets' Christian Braun, left, and Julian Strawther during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Otega Oweh scored 20 points and No. 17 Kentucky took advantage of its size to start the second half to pull away for an 82-61 win over Vanderbilt on Wednesday night.
The Wildcats (18-8, 7-6 Southeastern Conference) led 41-40 at the half, but focused on going inside for their first three baskets of the second half and forced the Commodores to take a timeout three minutes in.
Amari Williams added 17 points for the Wildcats.
Devin McGlockton led Vanderbilt (17-9, 5-8) with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Commodores only shot 30% from the field in the second half — including 1 for 10 on 3-pointers — after shooting 49% in the first half.
Vanderbilt: The Commodores continued a troubling trend in second halves of conference games. They have allowed opponents to shoot 56% in the second half, 45% on 3-pointers. Kentucky shot 65% in the second half and 50% on 3s.
Kentucky: The Wildcats have only been at full strength seven times this season. They played without starters Lamont Butler (shoulder) and Jaxson Robinson (wrist) for the second straight game. Using a point guard by committee, freshmen Travis Perry and Colin Chandler combined for 13 points and seven rebounds.
After Vanderbilt had got within three points at 47-44, Kentucky went on a 12-2 run to open a double-digit lead at 59-46. Williams and Carr scored two baskets each and Koby Brea ended it with a 3-pointer.
The Commodores dominated the paint in the first half, outscoring the Wildcats 20-12 inside and holding an 18-12 rebounding edge, including eight offensive boards. Kentucky reversed that in the second half, winning the rebounding battle 18-12 and 20-14 in the paint.
Both teams play on Saturday, with Vanderbilt hosting No. 25 Mississippi and Kentucky traveling to No. 4 Alabama.
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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Kentucky's Otega Oweh (00) goes up between, from left, Vanderbilt's Chris Manon (30), Tyler Nickel (5) and Jason Edwards during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/James Crisp)