Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) - Nikola Jokic scored 29 points and Aaron Gordon added 25 as the Denver Nuggets edged the Los Angeles Clippers 112-110 in an overtime thriller to open their NBA playoff series on Saturday.

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic added nine rebounds, 12 assists and three steals for the Nuggets, who erased an early 15-point deficit to grab the win in game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series.

Russell Westbrook came up big on both ends of the floor, his basket with 3:37 left in the fourth quarter giving the Nuggets their first lead since the first period.

After a flurry of lead changes Westbrook drilled a three-pointer that put Denver up 98-96 with 24.1 seconds left in regulation.

James Harden tied it, and the Clippers stymied the Nuggets on a final inbounds attempt to send it to the extra session – which Gordon opened with a dunk.

Denver wouldn’t trail again and took a 108-104 lead with 59.8 seconds left when Jokic found Christian Braun for a three-pointer.

Their lead was at three points when Westbrook broke up a Clippers inbounds attempt, and Jokic sealed it at the free-throw line.

Harden led the Clippers with 32 points. Kawhi Leonard added 27 and Ivica Zubac had 21, but it was the Nuggets – who ended the regular season amid turmoil after sacking coach Michael Malone with three games remaining – who prevailed.

“Incremental steps to win a basketball game,” said interim Nuggets coach David Adelman. “So it wasn’t pretty from either team, but you’ve just got to make enough plays to win.”

- Knicks surge late -

In Eastern Conference action, the New York Knicks put together a 21-0 scoring run in their 40-point fourth quarter to pull away for a 123-112 victory over the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden.

Jalen Brunson shook off a twisted ankle to score 23 of his 34 points in the second half while Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby scored 23 points apiece for the Knicks, who trailed by eight 91-83 heading into the fourth quarter of a back and forth battle that featured 12 lead changes over the first three periods.

“Staying smart and composed,” Brunson said of the key for the Knicks. “Just us being smart and finding a way to win the game.”

Tobias Harris scored 25 points and Cade Cunningham added 21 for the Pistons, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2019, but haven’t won a playoff game since 2008.

The Indiana Pacers romped to a 117-98 victory over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in their Eastern Conference series opener.

Pascal Siakam scored 25 points to lead six players to score in double figures for th Pacers, who led by as many as 28 points on their home floor.

Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 36 points and grabbed 12 rebounds – but he had little support from his Bucks teammates, the remaining starters combining for just 14 points.

Myles Turner added 19 points, Andrew Nembhard scored 17 and Tyrese Haliburton scored 10 points and handed out 12 assists for the Pacers, who made the most of their opportunity against a Bucks team missing Damian Lillard – who has been sidelined since he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf in March.

ESPN reported the nine-time All-Star could be ready to play in Tuesday’s game two or Friday’s game three.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers capped the day’s action, hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves.

James is in the playoffs for the 18th time and chasing a fifth title in his 22nd NBA season, the Lakers’ bid enhanced by their stunning February trade for Slovenian star Luka Doncic.