Subs Anthony, Bol key Magic’s win over West-leading Nuggets

ORLANDO, Fla.(AP) — Reserves Cole Anthony and Bol Bol each scored 17 points tolead the Orlando Magic to a 115-104 win over the WesternConference-leading Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.

WendellCarter Jr. led seven Magic scorers in double figures with 19points, and Orlando’s bench outscored the Nuggets’ reserves 56-10.Orlando is in 13th place in the Eastern Conference with a record of23-33.

Aaron Gordonhad a season-high 37 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Nuggets.Nikola Jokic had 29 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, andcombined with Gordon to score all 29 of Denver’s points in thethird quarter.

After missingtheir first five shots and falling behind 12-0, the Magic shot 63%(27 for 43) for the rest of the first half. They led by 16 pointsbefore Gordon and Jokic helped Denver cut its deficit to 10 points— 65-55 — halftime.

Gordon (17points) and Jokic (12) handled all the scoring for the Nuggets inthe third quarter, and a 3-pointer by Gordon pulled them to withinthree late in the period.

But Gordonand Jokic spent he first 3:34 of the final period on he bench, andAnthony and Bol led a rally that pushed Orlando’s lead back to107-88 with 6:05 remaining.

Bol scored 12straight points before leaving the game with 4:36 remaining.Anthony finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and sevenassists.

TIP-INS

Nuggets: GJamal Murray missed a third game with right knee inflammation, andcoach Michael Malone indicated it is unlikely Murray will playagain until after the All-Star break. ... F Zeke Nnaji missed asecond game with a strained right shoulder.

Magic: GJalen Suggs started his first game since Nov. 25, replacing GaryHarris (groin) in the starting lineup. ... The Magic shot 9 for 27from 3-point range and are 23 for 75 (31%) over the last threegames, including two wins.