By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Kristaps Porzingis matched his season-high 38 points and his career-high six threes powering the Dallas Mavericks to the 111-91 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. The Latvian big’s tally for Sunday’s NBA Regular Season contest included 13 rebounds for his 21st 2019-20 double-double, five rejections, four assists, and one steal as well.
Maxi Kleber added two points, eight boards, a couple of dimes and one block, Boban Marjanovic two points, one rebound, and one assist, both off the bench. Luka Doncic (left thumb) sat out but enjoyed the “W”. As for the hosts, Juan Hernangomez packed a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double, one assist, and one rejection.
Jokic posts triple-double, spoils Anunoby’s career-night
Twelfth triple-double of the season and 40th overall for Nikola Jokic. His 23 points, 18 rebounds, 11 dimes and one steal guided the Denver Nuggets to the 133-118 victory opposite to the Toronto Raptors at the Pepsi Center. Vlatko Cancar failed to register a stat in limited action.
Marc Gasol (left hamstring) and Serge Ibaka (right knee) remained out for the visitors. OG Anunoby was on hand though for career-highs of 32 points, 12 field goals made and seven steals to go along with seven rebounds and three dimes but was not enough for the “W”.
Bertans sinks eight threes
The Washington Wizards defeated the Golden State Warriors, 124-110, at the Chase Center. Most of the European impact was brought to the table by Davis Bertans. Scored 29 points coming off the bench with 8/10 beyond the arc. He pulled down four rebounds and rejected one shot as well.
Starter Isaac Bonga banked six points, one board, one assist and one block. Reserves Anzejs Pasecniks (3pts, 1reb) and Moritz Wagner (2ast, 1reb) also played, but Ian Mahinmi stayed on the bench. Dragan Bender recorded eight points and ten boards for the hosts with Alen Smailagic (right quad) out.
Bogdanovic, Len, Bjelica claim win
Bogdan Bogdanovic racked up 15 points and four steals for the Sacramento Kings in the 106-100 victory against the Detroit Pistons at the Golden 1 Center. Fellow Serbian starter Nemanja Bjelica had seven points, seven boards, a couple of assists and one interception for the night.
Reserve Alex Len added eight points, 13 rebounds, and five rejections. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk retained his starting status and ended up with 14 points, six boards and a couple of assists, while reserve Sekou Doumbouya tallied five points and three rebounds for the losing team.
Four points, three boards, a pair of assists and one block for starter Ivica Zubac with the Los Angeles Clippers moving past the Philadelphia 76ers, 136-130, at the Staples Center. Furkan Korkmaz got eight points, three dimes, a couple of rebounds and one block off the bench in losing effort.
Behind LeBron James’ triple-double, the Los Angeles Lakers overthrew the New Orleans Pelicans, 122-114, at the Smoothie King Center. Assigned Kostas Antetokounmpo was inactive. Nicolo Melli finished with ten points, two rebounds, one interception and block in losing effort.
Earlier action featured Giannis Antetokounmpo sending the Milwaukee Bucks over the Charlotte Hornets. Ersan Ilyasova and Thanasis Antetokoumpo did not earn playing time. Neither did Nicolas Batum for the losing side, but Willy Hernangomez punched in a double-double.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. x-Milwaukee Bucks 52-8
2. Toronto Raptors 42-18
3. Boston Celtics 41-18
4. Miami Heat 38-22
5. Philadelphia 76ers 37-24
6. Indiana Pacers 36-24
7. Orlando Magic 27-33
8. Brooklyn Nets 26-33
9. Washington Wizards 22-37
10. Charlotte Hornets 21-39
11. Chicago Bulls 20-40
12. Detroit Pistons 20-42
13. Atlanta Hawks 19-43
14. New York Knicks 18-42
15. Cleveland Cavaliers 17-43
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 46-13
2. Denver Nuggets 41-19
3. Los Angeles Clippers 41-19
4. Houston Rockets 39-20
5. Utah Jazz 37-22
6. Oklahoma City Thunder 37-23
7. Dallas Mavericks 37-24
8. Memphis Grizzlies 29-31
9. New Orleans Pelicans 26-34
10. Sacramento Kings 26-34
11. San Antonio Spurs 25-33
12. Portland Trail Blazers 26-35
13. Phoenix Suns 24-37
14. Minnesota Timberwolves 17-42
15. Golden State Warriors 13-48
x-clinched a playoffs spot
Photo Credit: Getty Images