Doncic pays tribute to Kobe, Bjelica flirts with triple-double

By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net

Luka Doncic scored 29 points grabbed 11 rebounds and five assists as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 107 – 97 and return back to wins. The game, like all other matches in the NBA, was heavy with a tough emotional atmosphere following Kobe Bryant’s death on Sunday morning.

“I broke down after the first quarter,” Doncic said, per AP. “That was when it really hit me. It was really hard to explain.” The Slovenian player wore Kobe Vs in the game. He had written the names of the deceased from the fatal helicopter crash on the shoes.

by far the hardest game i ever had to play!! still can’t believe it!! always with us!??? #RIP pic.twitter.com/PscNbfLain

— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) January 28, 2020

Kristaps Porzingis had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds while Maxi Kleber added 11 points off the bench for the Mavericks. The Thunder were led by Dennis Schroder (team-high 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists). Danilo Gallinari notched 14 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Nemanja Bjelica came close to a triple-double by notching 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to lead the Sacramento Kings to their second win in a row, a 133 – 129 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Bogdan Bogdanovic had 11 points and six rebounds as a starter for the Kings.

Bojan Bogdanovic dropped 30 points but the Utah Jazz didn’t have a cure for Eric Gordon (50 points) who led the Houston Rockets to a 126 – 117 win despite the absences of James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Thabo Sefolosha helped Houston with nine points.

Rudy Gobert delivered a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Jazz.

The rest of Monday’s NBA results and Euro-scorers:

Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 100 – 115 (Svi Mikhailiuk 13 points, Sekou Doumbouya 8 points, Cedi Osman 7 points)

Miami Heat – Orlando Magic 113 – 92 (Goran Dragic 14 points, Nikola Vucevic 13 points, 12 rebounds, Evan Fournier 9 points)

Chicago Bulls – San Antonio Spurs 110 – 109 (Tomas Satoransky 13 points, six assists)

The NBA postponed the scheduled game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers.

NBA Standings (via NBA.com):