By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Nicola Jokic had 29 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists before leaving late in Denver’s 127-120 victory over the Suns.
Jokic went down without contact under the Phoenix basket with 1:47 left. He was on the floor for a while with the entire Nuggets team surrounding him. He finally stood and limped to the locker room as the Nuggets closed out their fifth straight home win. When the news came back that the 21-year-old center had only a left hip strain there was audible relief for Denver. Italian Danilo Gallinari added 23 points, while Ukrainian center Alex Len had 4 points and 3 rebounds for the losing side.
Gordon Hayward scored 24 points to help the Jazz beat the Los Angeles Lakers 96-88, French center Rudy Gobert had 9 points and 13 assists, his compatriot Boris Diaw added 6 points, but the real euro-news came from Lakers rookie Ivica Zubac. The Croatian youngster registered a double double (16 p., 10 r.), while Russian Timofey Mozgov had 9 points and 9 rebounds and British Luol Deng added 6 points,
In Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook scored 45 points in the Thunder win over Dallas (109-98). Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis added 10 points, French big man Joffrey Lauvergne had 3, Turk Enes Kanter had 4 and Spaniard Alex Abrines 5. Dirk Nowitzki didn’t play in this game, as the Mavs rested him.
Paul George scored 32 points after being picked for his fourth All-Star game to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 109-103 victory over the Timberwolves. French big man Kevin Seraphin was out with injury, while for the losing side Spaniard Ricky Rubio had 4 points and 12 assists, while Serb forward Nemanja Bjelica added 3 points and 3 rebounds.
Eastern Conference
1 Cleveland Cavaliers 30-14
2 Toronto Raptors 28-18
3 Boston Celtics 27-18
4 Atlanta Hawks 27-19
5 Washington Wizards 25-20
6 Indiana Pacers 23-22
7 Charlotte Hornets 23-23
8 Chicago Bulls 23-24
Milwaukee Bucks 21-24
Detroit Pistons 21-25
New York Knicks 20-27
Philadelphia 76ers 17-27
Orlando Magic 18-29
Miami Heat 16-30
Brooklyn Nets 9-36
Western Conference
1 Golden State Warriors 39-7
2 San Antonio Spurs 36-9
3 Houston Rockets 34-15
4 LA Clippers 30-17
5 Utah Jazz 30-18
6 Oklahoma City Thunder 28=19
7 Memphis Grizzlies 27-20
8 Denver Nuggets 20-25
Portland Trail Blazers 20-27
Sacramento Kings 18-27
New Orleans Pelicans 18-28
Minnesota Timberwolves 17-29
Dallas Mavericks 16-30
Phoenix Suns 15-31
Los Angeles Lakers 16-34