By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
NBA suspended its season indefinitely after French star Rudy Gobert was found positive for coronavirus. The scheduled 2019-20 regular season match between the Utah Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder was the first to be postponed with the players of the two sides remaining quarantined. The Sacramento Kings versus New Orleans Pelicans tilt was the second game set for Wednesday that was postponed, but the other four games started earlier and were completed.
At the American Airlines Center, teams learned of the decision during the third period of the contest between the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets. The hosts went on for the 113-97 win, but the game itself was secondary. Starting for Kristaps Porzingis (left knee), Boban Marjanovic poured a career-high 31 points reinforcing his effort with 17 rebounds, a couple of interceptions and one assist.
Luka Doncic racked up 28 points, nine dimes, six rebounds and a pair of steals. Starting as well, Maxi Kleber had 15 points, four boards, and one assist. As for the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic posted a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double to go along with his eight dimes. Teammate Vlatko Cancar was on his G League assignment.
Furkan Korkmaz made three shots beyond the arc for 17 points he combined with four boards and a couple of assists as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Detroit Pistons, 124-106, at the Wells Fargo Center. For the losing side, starter Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk punched in 16 points, four dimes, a pair of rebounds and two interceptions, and reserve Sekou Doumbouya two points, a couple of assists and one board.
At the State Farm Arena, Frank Ntilikina mixed in eight points, four boards, a pair of assists and one interception for the New York Knicks in the 136-131 overtime victory opposite to the Atlanta Hawks. Ignas Brazdeikis remained on his G League assignment though. Hawks’ Clint Capela (right heel) was sidelined once again.
Nicolas Batum and Willy Hernangomez did not play for the Charlotte Hornets that defeated the Miami Heat, 109-98, at the AmericanAirlines Arena. Goran Dragic was held to three points, five dimes, five rebounds and one interception in losing effort.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. x-Milwaukee Bucks 53-12
2. x-Toronto Raptors 46-16
3. x-Boston Celtics 43-21
4. Miami Heat 41-24
5. Indiana Pacers 39-26
6. Philadelphia 76ers 39-26
7. Brooklyn Nets 30-34
8. Orlando Magic 30-35
9. Washington Wizards 24-40
10. Charlotte Hornets 23-42
11. Chicago Bulls 22-43
12. New York Knicks 21-45
13. Detroit Pistons 20-46
14. Atlanta Hawks 20-47
15. Cleveland Cavaliers 19-46
Western Conference
1. x-Los Angeles Lakers 49-14
2. Los Angeles Clippers 44-20
3. Denver Nuggets 43-22
4. Utah Jazz 41-23
5. Oklahoma City Thunder 40-24
6. Houston Rockets 40-24
7. Dallas Mavericks 40-27
8. Memphis Grizzlies 32-33
9. Portland Trail Blazers 29-37
10. New Orleans Pelicans 28-36
11. Sacramento Kings 28-36
12. San Antonio Spurs 27-36
13. Phoenix Suns 26-39
14. Minnesota Timberwolves 19-45
15. e-Golden State Warriors 15-50
x-clinched a playoffs spot
e-eliminated from the playoffs
Photo Credit: Getty Images