Nuggets Keep Jazz Winless – NBA Roundup For Nov. 12th

UNDATED (AP) — The Indiana Pacers have become the NBA's seventh team since 2000 to open the season with eight straight victories.

Paul George scored 23 points and Lance Stephenson posted his first career triple-double as the Pacers hammered Memphis 95-79. Stephenson finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 12 assists to help the Pacers extend the best start in franchise history. George Hill also had 13 points and Roy Hibbert added five more blocks to his NBA-leading total.

The San Antonio Spurs are 7-1 after posting their second blowout victory in as many days.

Danny Green scored 18 points and the Spurs followed Sunday's 31-point rout of the Knicks by crushing the 76ers 109-85 in Philadelphia. Tony Parker added 14 points for San Antonio, which played without Tim Duncan after coach Gregg Popovich decided to rest his 37-year-old forward.

The Utah Jazz are still looking for its first win after they were outscored 30-13 in the fourth quarter of a 100-81 loss to Denver. Andre Miller scored nine of his season-high 15 points in the final period, including a three-pointer during a 10-1 run that put the Nuggets ahead by eight with 7:13 remaining.

Checking out the rest of Monday's NBA action:

— Derrick Rose had 16 points and seven assists before leaving with a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of Chicago's 96-81 verdict over Cleveland. Rose calls it a minor injury, and the Bulls say he will be re-evaluated on Tuesday.

— Blake Griffin's 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists keyed the Los Angeles Clippers' 109-107 win against Minnesota. Chris Paul added 21 points and 11 assists to help the Clippers overcome Kevin Love's 23 points and 19 rebounds.

— Jeremy Lin scored 31 points off the bench, but Houston still needed two overtimes to knock off Toronto 110-104 and halt a two-game skid. Dwight Howard had 18 points and 24 rebounds, while James Harden furnished with 26 points and 10 assists.

— Al Horford had 24 points and Cartier Martin added 16 off the bench in Atlanta's 103-94 win at Charlotte. Jeff Teague chipped in 14 points and 12 assists for the Hawks, who trailed by eight before outscoring the Bobcats 34-16 in the third quarter.

— Avery Bradley scored 24 points and the surprising Boston Celtics improved to 4-4 with a 120-105 win over Orlando. Jeff Green, Jordan Crawford and rookie Kelly Olynyk (OH'-lih-nihk) each added 16 points to the Celtics' fourth consecutive win.

— Portland was a 109-103 winner over Detroit as Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 25 points. LaMarcus Aldridge added 17 points and 12 rebounds as the Blazers picked up their third straight win and improved to 5-2.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford returned to the court on Monday, three days after having two stents placed in his heart.

Clifford was given a warm welcome by the home crowd during pregame introductions against Atlanta. He said he felt "fine" before the game and is taking every necessary precaution to ensure he's safe.

In other NBA news:

— Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders will miss approximately six weeks after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. Sanders hasn't played since injuring the thumb in a fight at a nightclub on Nov. 3, No charges were filed.

— Houston Rockets guard James Harden has been fined $5,000 by the NBA for violating the league's anti-flopping rules for the second time this season. Harden was cited on Saturday during the fourth quarter of the Rockets' 107-94 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.