Bulls trample Nuggets; Tatum down as Celtics edge Kings

LOS ANGELES, United States — The Chicago Bulls knocked off another Western Conference contender, beating the short-handed Nuggets, 129-119, in Denver for a third straight victory Tuesday (Manila time).

The Nuggets were still clinging to third in the West after falling to the Bulls, who were fueled by 37 points from Coby White — his third straight game of 35 or more.

Josh Giddey added 26 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, and six Chicago players scored in double figures as the Bulls, ninth in the East, rallied from an early 13-point deficit.

The Nuggets led by four early in the fourth quarter, but with NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic again sidelined with an ankle injury and Aaron Gordon absent they couldn't stop the Bulls' late surge.

Tatum hurt in Celtics win

The defending champions Boston Celtics cruised to a sixth straight victory, but their 113-95 win over the Kings in Sacramento was marred by an injury to All-Star Jayson Tatum.

Tatum scored 25 points with seven rebounds and eight assists before departing in the third quarter after rolling his ankle when he came down from a shot on the foot of Kings center Domantas Sabonis — who was assessed a flagrant foul.

Tatum stayed in the game long enough to take his free throws before he was helped to the locker room.

Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton posted his 11th straight double-double, delivering 24 points and 11 assists to propel the Pacers to a fifth straight victory, 119-103 over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Obi Toppin made six 3-pointers on the way to 20 points for the Pacers, whose lead over Milwaukee for fourth place in the East stood at two games after the Bucks fell 108-106 to the Suns in Phoenix.

Devin Booker was the hero for the Suns, drilling a step back basket with 2.4 seconds remaining to seal the win in a game that featured 15 lead changes, six of them in the fourth quarter.

Kevin Durant led all scorers with 38 points for Phoenix, while Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with 31.