Nikola Jokic has scored 35 points and pulled down 16 rebounds as Denver fended off an undermanned and undersized Minnesota 115-112 in Minneapolis.

Michael Porter Jr. scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, Jamal Murray added 18 points and 11 assists and Aaron Gordon had 14 points and 11 boards for the Nuggets, who blew an 18-point lead in less than 12 minutes before finishing a four-game NBA road trip strong on Wednesday (AEDT).

Denver (48-21) moved within percentage points of idle Oklahoma City (47-20) for the Western Conference lead, while the Timberwolves (47-22) dropped one game back into third place.

Anthony Edwards had 30 points -- his fourth straight 30-point game -- eight rebounds and eight assists. The clean look from the wing he created with a crossover dribble for the tie at the buzzer hit the rim and fell short.

Minnesota played at home for the first time in 15 days but were without stars Karl-Anthony Towns (knee), Rudy Gobert (ribs) and Naz Reid (head).

After pushing the Nuggets hard in a six-game loss in the first round of the playoffs last year, the Timberwolves won their first meeting of the season 110-89 on November 1.

Earlier in San Antonio, Kyrie Irving scored 28 points, Luka Doncic had 18 points and 16 assists, and Dallas held off the Spurs 113-107.

The Mavericks (40-29) trail the Sacramento Kings (39-28) by percentage points for sixth place in the West and the final automatic playoff berth.

Tre Jones scored 22 points and Devin Vassell added 19 for the hosts, while Victor Wembanyama had 12 points and 11 rebounds for his 37th double-double.

Dante Exum played a vital role for the Mavs in the absence of injured fellow Australian Josh Green (ankle) - especially in the fourth quarter.

He compiled 16 points, one rebound and two assists, going five of eight from the field which included all four attempts from three-point range.

Compatriot Jock Landale registered 10 points and three boards in the Houston Rockets' 137-114 away win over the Washington Wizards, while another Boomers star in Joe Ingles had three points, three rebounds and four assists in Orlando's 112-92 home victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

The Magic (41-28) consolidated fifth in the East, as did New Orleans (42-26) in the West thanks to Zion Williamson's 28 points in a 104-91 triumph over the Nets in Brooklyn.