Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots over Detroit Pistons center James Wiseman (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, on March 16, 2023, in Detroit. (PHOTO / AP)

WASHINGTON - Nikola Jokic inspired the Denver Nuggets to a 119-100 victory over the Detroit Pistons to end their four-game NBA losing streak, while the Indiana Pacers rallied past the Eastern Conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks 139-123 on Thursday.

Jokic, the two-time reigning MVP, finished 14 of 18 from the field to score 30 points along with 10 rebounds and nine assists.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 20 points, Jamal Murray had 19 and Aaron Gordon added 15 for the Western Conference-leading Nuggets.

The Pistons led by as many as seven points in a game with 16 lead changes and 10 ties, while the Nuggets pulled away in the fourth quarter and led by double digits midway through the quarter.

The Milwaukee Bucks took a 40-30 lead after the first period, while missing five of their first six shots to open the second as the Indiana Pacers closed within five points, helped by an 8-0 run that was capped off by back-to-back 3-pointers from former Milwaukee guard George Hill

Rodney McGruder scored 20 for the Pistons, who have lost 13 of 14 games and have the NBA's worst record.

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In the Pacers' win, Andrew Nembhard scored 24 points and Aaron Nesmith hit six 3-pointers and finished with 22 points.

The Bucks took a 40-30 lead after the first period, while missing five of their first six shots to open the second as Indiana closed within five points, helped by an 8-0 run that was capped off by back-to-back 3-pointers from former Milwaukee guard George Hill.

The Bucks managed to build a 64-55 lead into the break. Another 8-0 run, with back-to-back 3-pointers by Nesmith, pulled the Pacers within four points with 4:08 left in the third.

An 11-4 run to open the fourth gave the Pacers a 115-105 lead with 10:07 remaining, and they faced no real challenge from then on.

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Also on Thursday, the Sacramento Kings improved to 42-27 and clinched their first winning season since 2005-06 by beating the Brooklyn Nets 101-96, the Toronto Raptors extended their home winning streak to six games with a 128-111 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Phoenix Suns edged the Orlando Magic 116-113.