Heat rely on defense to beat Raptors 84-76

MIAMI (AP) — Bam Adebayo had 15 points and 14 rebounds and the Miami Heat put together their best defensive performance of the season in an 84-76 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night.

Tyler Herro and Goran Dragic each scored 13 points for Miami. The Heat are 2-0 against the Raptors this season and improved to 9-0 after a loss. Miami and Milwaukee are the only teams to not lose consecutive games this season.

Derrick Jones Jr. scored 10 points and Jimmy Butler finished with eight points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for Miami.

Serge Ibaka had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Toronto. Kyle Lowry scored 15 points, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 13 and OG Anunoby had 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Raptors shot only 31.5% and were 6 for 42 from 3-point range.

NUGGETS 124, PACERS 116

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Porter Jr. scored a career-high 25 points and Jamal Murray added 22 in Denver’s victory over Indiana.

The Nuggets have won three of four and earned this one despite having Nikola Jokic in serious foul trouble all night. Jokic finished with 22 points, 12 in the fourth quarter, and seven rebounds.

Jeremy Lamb had a season-high 30 points for the Pacers.

HORNETS 109, CAVALIERS 106

CLEVELAND (AP) — Devonte’ Graham hit a 3-pointer with 26 seconds left to break a tie and cap Charlotte’s late rally against Cleveland.

Graham’s shot from the top of the key gave Charlotte a 106-103 lead. The Hornets came back from a nine-point deficit with five minutes to play to end a six-game losing streak.

Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 30 points. Graham had 16 — all in the second half. Collin Sexton scored 21 points for Cleveland, and Kevin Love had 18.