In S.africa: China #1 In Head, Us In Heart

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Even without Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray insisted, the team Denver brought on the road this week was a good one. Good enough that it should have won Friday night in New Orleans, at least. With an opportunity to prove his point in a second consecutive game without the MVP center, the Nuggets fell behind by as many as 24 in a 105-90 loss to the Grizzlies. Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

Highlight: Quarterback Bo Nix strengthened his case for Offensive Rookie of the Year. On Sunday, he picked apart Atlanta’s defense, going 28 of 33 for 307 yards and four touchdowns. He set the tone in the first half, completing 17 of 19 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns. But he wasn’t the only rookie that stood out.

OFFENSE — A Rookie quarterback Bo Nix was on a heater from the start Sunday afternoon. He threw touchdowns to Nate Adkins, Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin. He diced up the Falcons on third down and in general. He led a Denver offense that scored on five of its first seven possessions and barely broke stride.

Initial thoughts from the Broncos’ 38-6 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11 at Empower Field at Mile High: Mims the word: It appears Sean Payton has finally figured out how to use Marvin Mims Jr. A week ago, it was putting the Oklahoma speedster in the backfield and turning him into a runner.

Fast break Why the Bufs won: CU has a season-low 13 turnovers, finished 9-for-19 from long range, and outrebounded the Crimson 43-30. Three stars 1. Andrej Jakimovski: The graduate transfer led all scorers with 20 points and shared CU’s rebounding lead with seven. 2. Elijah Malone: CU’s center went 5-for-9 from the floor and 6-for-6 on free throws, posting 16 points and seven rebounds. 3.

By AAMER MADHANI, COLLEEN LONG, ZEKE MILLER, MATTHEW LEE and ELLEN KNICKMEYER MANAUS, Brazil (AP) — President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use U. S.-supplied long-range missiles to strike deeper inside Russia, easing limitations on the weapons as Russia deploys thousands of North Korean troops to reinforce its war, according to a U.