By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Luka Doncic fell a couple of assists short from a triple-double as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Orlando Magic, 122-106, at the Amway Center. Combined his game-high 33 points with ten rebounds, eight dimes, one steal and one rejection on Friday. Starting as well was Kristaps Porzingis for a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double to go along with five assists and five blocks in the 2019-20 NBA Regular Season contest. The European stars went for 18/37 including eight made shots beyond the arc helping the visitors improve to 34-22.
Reserve Maxi Kleber scored a career-high 26 points, also put in three boards, one assist and one rejection. “I probably never had a night like that in the NBA,” he said afterwards, “I didn’t really even notice. It just sort of happened.” However, Boban Marjanovic was a healthy scratch. Evan Fournier gathered 28 points, two rebounds, a pair of steals and one dime for the hosts. Nikola Vucevic’s 27-point, 12-rebound double-double went to waste as well, the same for his four interceptions, one assist and one block.
Career-night for Daniel Theis as well. His NBA-best 25 points launched the Boston Celtics to the 127-117 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. Mixed in 16 rebounds and one rejection as well. Vincent Poirier posted two points and one board. Also off the bench, Enes Kanter grabbed seven rebounds. Javonte Green did not earn playing time. As for the home outlet, starter Juan Hernangomez extended his double-digit scoring run as a Hornet ending up with 17 points, five boards, one steal and one rejection.
Jokic not enough
Twenty-six European points for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 113-101 victory opposite to the Denver Nuggets at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Starter Danilo Gallinari accounted for 15 points, three boards, a pair of assists and one steal, and Dennis Schroder added 11 points, five rebounds, a couple of dimes and a pair of interceptions coming off the bench. Nikola Jokic poured a game-high 32 points behind 12/15 field goals, also had nine boards, five assists and one steal in losing effort, but Vlatko Cancar was inactive.
Marc Gasol (left hamstring) remained sidelined, but the Toronto Raptors beat the Phoenix Suns, 118-101, at the Scotiabank Arena. Serge Ibaka fired in 16 points and six rebounds, while fellow European started OG Anunoby had 12 points, five boards, four blocks, one assist and one interception. Another starter, Ricky Rubio notched 13 points, nine dimes, four steals and three rebounds in losing effort. Dario Saric finished with eight points, five boards and three assists off the bench, but Elie Okobo did not insert himself on the board.
Double-double field
Marco Belinelli did not get on the court, Jakob Poeltl did not score, but the San Antonio Spurs beat the Utah Jazz, 113-104, at the Vivint Smart Home Arena. The latter did produce seven boards, four blocks, a couple of dimes and a pair of steals. Luka Samanic spent his evening with the Austin Spurs. Rudy Gobert posted an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double alongside two assists and one block for the hosts, while Bojan Bogdanovic went for 15 points, five boards, one steal and one dime.
In return from the All Star Game break, Domantas Sabonis posted a 24-point, 13-rebound double-double alongside three dimes, one steal and one rejection leading the Indiana Pacers to the 106-98 win against the New York Knicks at the Madison Square Garden. Goga Bitadze stayed on the bench and assigned Naz Mitrou-Long was inactive. Frank Ntilikina started for the losing side, threw in 14 points, a couple of boards, a pair of assists and two steals, but Ignas Brazdeikis sat out.
Osman rocks Washington
Another European double-double was generated by Cedi Osman as the Cleveland Cavaliers overpowered the Washington Wizards, 113-108, at the Capital One Arena. The 24-year-old forward scored 16 points behind 5/7 field goals including 3/5 beyond the arc and pulled down ten rebounds in 30 minutes of action, had a couple of assists and one interception as well. Ante Zizic did not leave the bench though.
Davis Bertans led the Wizards European pack with ten points, eight boards, two assists and one rejection to his name. Ian Mahinmi had five points, five rebounds, a pair of assists and a pair of interceptions, Isaac Bonga five points, a couple of boards and one dime, and Moritz Wagner four points, five rebounds and one assist. Anzejs Pasecniks did not play.
Nicolo Melli helped the New Orleans Pelicans land a 128-115 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center with 13 points, five boards, a couple of assists and one steal. He made 2/3 twos and 3/8 threes on the road. Jusuf Nurkic (left leg) and Mario Hezonja (left ankle) were out for the hosts, Jaylen Hoard was inactive as well.
Western Conference leaders Los Angeles Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 117-105, at the Staples Center. Lone European Kostas Antetokounmpo remained on his G League assignment. European action was limited to the visitors with starter Jonas Valanciunas up to eight points, 11 boards and a pair of steals. Marko Guduric pulled down one rebound in three minutes.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 47-8
2. Toronto Raptors 41-15
3. Boston Celtics 39-16
4. Miami Heat 35-20
5. Philadelphia 76ers 35-21
6. Indiana Pacers 33-23
7. Brooklyn Nets 25-29
8. Orlando Magic 24-32
9. Washington Wizards 20-34
10. Charlotte Hornets 19-36
11. Chicago Bulls 19-37
12. Detroit Pistons 19-39
13. New York Knicks 17-39
14. Atlanta Hawks 16-41
15. Cleveland Cavaliers 15-40
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 42-12
2. Denver Nuggets 38-18
3. Los Angeles Clippers 37-18
4. Utah Jazz 36-19
5. Houston Rockets 35-20
6. Oklahoma City Thunder 34-22
7. Dallas Mavericks 34-22
8. Memphis Grizzlies 28-28
9. Portland Trail Blazers 25-32
10. San Antonio Spurs 24-31
11. New Orleans Pelicans 24-32
12. Sacramento Kings 22-33
13. Phoenix Suns 22-34
14. Minnesota Timberwolves 16-38
15. Golden State Warriors 12-44
Photo Credit: Getty Images