Coast-to-Coast: Nikola Jokic back to triple-double ways; Clippers enter West top six

A couple of teams made crucial strides for better playoff positioning this NBA Thursday, as the regular season play is down to its last two weeks.

JOKIC NOTCHES 30TH TRIP-DUB OF THE SEASON; CLIPPERS, PISTONS MOVE UP

• Denver Nuggets (46-28) def. Milwaukee Bucks (40-32), 127-117: Nikola Jokic returned from a five-game absence with a bang, dropping a 39-point, 10-rebound, and 10-assist triple-double over the short-handed Bucks — who dropped to the East no. 6 with the loss that allowed the Detroit Pistons to climb to fifth. 

• Joker Joins Elite Company: With yet another trip-dub, Jokic became just the fourth player in league history to record 30 or more trip-dubs in a single season, joining Russell Westbrook, Wilt Chamberlain, and Oscar Robertson.

• LA Clippers (41-31) def. New York Knicks (45-27), 126-113: In their only visit to MSG this season, the Clippers prevented the Knicks from clinching a playoff spot thanks to resounding bounce back.

• Clips Rising: Kawhi Leonard and James Harden combined for 56 points for LA, who overtook the Golden State Warriors for the West sixth place. Despite both carding a 41-31 slate, the Clippers hold a 3-0 season series advantage of the Warriors. 

• LA Lakers (44-28) def. Indiana Pacers (42-30), 120-119: LeBron James connected on a game-winning tip-in off a Luka Doncic miss in a cardiac finish, putting an end to the Lakers’ three-game losing skid.

[ALSO READ: LeBron James drills game-winning tip-in as Lakers nip Pacers in thriller]

• The Great Indy Escape: Luka Doncic fired a team-high 34 points for LA, who now shared the West no. 4 with the Memphis Grizzlies behind their identical 44-28 records. However, the Lakers stayed ahead of the Grizzlies due to owning a 2-1 season-series lead. 

• Boston Celtics (54-19) def. Phoenix Suns (35-38), 132-102: Kristaps Porzingis played an efficient 29-point outing in just 30 minutes, keying the Celtics’ seventh-straight victory after pummeling the Suns.

[ALSO READ: Peaking at the right time, Jayson Tatum-less Celtics sustain road rampage vs Suns]

• Washington Wizards (16-56) def. Philadelphia 76ers (23-50), 119-114: Reigning second overall pick Alex Sarr registered his fifth 20-point outing in the month of March, helping the Wizards arrest a five-game slide after downing the Sixers.

• Toronto Raptors (26-47) def. Brooklyn Nets (23-50), 116-86: Orlando Robinson went to work and dropped a 23-point, 12-assist double-double to banner a 30-point Raptor rout of the Nets.