By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Furkan Korkmaz set his career-high at 34 points powering the Philadelphia 76ers to the 119-107 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Wells Fargo Center. The 22-year-old Turkish guard helped his team snap a four-game losing streak on 13/17 from the field including 7/9 threes, also put in six rebounds, four dimes and one rejection in 29 minutes coming from the bench. For the visitors, Jonas Valanciunas packed a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double to go along with his four blocks, one assist and one interception. Teammate Marko Guduric hit all of his shots for nine points in four minutes of garbage time.
Davis Bertans sank five threes en route for 20 points, tallied eight rebounds and three dimes as well. The Washington Wizards still needed Bradley Beal’s nearly buzzer-beating layup for the 119-118 win against the Dallas Mavericks at the Capital One Arena. Apart Bertans, Moritz Wagner had six points, four boards, one assist and one steal off the bench as well. Starter Ian Mahinmi added six points, three rebounds, one dime and one rejection, and another member of the first five Isaac Bonga finished with three points, one assist, one interception and one block. Assigned Anzejs Pasecniks was inactive.
Kristaps Porzingis got into foul trouble early in Friday’s 2019-20 NBA Regular Season affair and only managed to stay on the court for 21 minutes. His 11 points, nine boards, two assists, two interceptions and one block were not enough for the “W”. Reserve Maxi Kleber piled up seven points, seven rebounds, a couple of dimes and one rejection. However, Boban Marjanovic was inactive, so was Luka Doncic (right ankle). Updating the status of the sidelined Slovenian sensation, the Mavericks hope he will eventually be ready to play at least one game before the All Star Game break.
Bojan Bogdanovic poured 27 points with 10/16 field goals, threw in four boards, a pair of steals and one assist as well for the Utah Jazz in the narrow 117-114 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Vivint Smart Home Arena. Fellow European starter Rudy Gobert posted a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double alongside his two dimes and one block. Mario Hezonja got in 11 points, six boards, three interceptions, one dime and one rejection in losing effort, but Jusuf Nurkic (left leg) remained out and Jaylen Hoard on his G League assignment.
The Serbian starting pair sank 11 threes guiding the Sacramento Kings to the 105-97 victory over the Miami Heat the Golden 1 Center. Bogdan Bogdanovic contributed with 23 points, four boards, three steals, a couple of assists and one block, while Nemanja Bjelica got to 15 points and eight rebounds. Newcomer Alex Len (right hip) was on the injury list. Lone European of the Heat, Goran Dragic notched 14 points, four rebounds, three interceptions and three assists, but turned the ball over seven times in 28 minutes as well.
The streaking Toronto Raptors beat the Indiana Pacers, 115-106, at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse without injured Marc Gasol (left hamstring). Serge Ibaka started in his place and posted a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double alongside three dimes. Starting as well, OG Anunoby racked up 16 points, five steals and three boards before fouling out. Domantas Sabonis put up a 19-point, 16-rebound double-double in losing effort, also dished three assists. Goga Bitadze rushed in a couple of points, one interception and one board in limited action, and assigned Naz Mitrou-Long was inactive.
Danilo Gallinari and Dennis Schroder combined for 37 points aiding the Oklahoma City Thunder to the 108-101 win over the Detroit Pistons at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The European starter finished with 19 points behind 5/15 from the field, nine boards and four assists, his German teammate with 18 points, three dimes and a couple of rebounds off the bench. As for the losing side, Sekou Doumbouya only made 3 out of his attempts for eight points, pulled down four rebounds as well. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (right hip) remained sidelined.
Filling in the starting unit for Daniel Theis (right ankle), Enes Kanter sported a 16-point, 15-rebound double-double and blocked one shot for the Boston Celtics in the 112-107 victory versus the Atlanta Hawks at the TD Garden. The 27-year-old center remained on the court for a season-high 28 minutes making 5/10 twos for the night. Vincent Poirier had two points and a pair of boards, and Javonte Green one point, three rebounds and one steal, both off the bench. New addition Clint Capela was not available for the visitors.
Without Dario Saric (left ankle), the Phoenix Suns routed the Houston Rockets, 127-91, at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. Starter Ricky Rubio chipped in with five points, ten assists and a couple of boards. Reserve Elie Okobo made three points, six dimes, four rebounds and three steals. Three Europeans off the bench for the visitors with Thabo Sefolosha posting six points, two rebounds and one rejection, Isaiah Hartenstein three points, three boards, a couple of dimes and one steal, and William Howard a pair of rebounds and one assist.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 44-7
2. Toronto Raptors 38-14
3. Boston Celtics 36-15
4. Miami Heat 34-17
5. Philadelphia 76ers 32-21
6. Indiana Pacers 31-21
7. Brooklyn Nets 23-27
8. Orlando Magic 22-30
9. Washington Wizards 18-32
10. Chicago Bulls 19-34
11. Detroit Pistons 19-35
12. Charlotte Hornets 16-35
13. New York Knicks 16-36
14. Atlanta Hawks 14-39
15. Cleveland Cavaliers 13-39
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 38-12
2. Los Angeles Clippers 36-15
3. Denver Nuggets 36-16
4. Utah Jazz 33-18
5. Houston Rockets 33-19
6. Oklahoma City Thunder 32-20
7. Dallas Mavericks 31-21
8. Memphis Grizzlies 26-26
9. Portland Trail Blazers 24-29
10. San Antonio Spurs 22-29
11. New Orleans Pelicans 21-31
12. Phoenix Suns 21-31
13. Sacramento Kings 20-31
14. Minnesota Timberwolves 16-35
15. Golden State Warriors 12-40
Photo Credit: Getty Images