By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Six double-digit scorers including European starts Danilo Gallinari and Dennis Schroder did the trick for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 110-94 win against the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
Starter Gallinari put up 15 points and four rebounds in his side’s official opener in the single-site season-ending tournament, reserve Schroder 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal. The Jazz dropped to 1-1 in Orlando and 42-24 overall despite Rudy Gobert’s ten points, seven rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
Kyle Lowry pumped up 33 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists guiding the Toronto Raptors to the 107-92 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The outcome prevented both the Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks from clinching first place in the Western and Eastern Conference, respectively.
London-born O.G. Anunoby added 23 points with 8/9 from the field, also registered four rebounds,, two steals and one assist in 33 minutes. Fellow European starter Marc Gasol pinched in with eight points, seven rebounds, and two assists over 25 minutes. Serge Ibaka had four points, four rebounds, and a pair of blocks off the bench.
The Los Angeles Clippers hits 25 threes en route for the 126-103 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Paul George made eight long-range shots, overall posted 28 points, while Croatian starter Ivica Zubac ended up with six points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block. Pelicans’ Nicolo Melli was 2/9 from the field for eight points.
NC State alum T.J. Warren went for a career-high 53 points and the Indiana Pacers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 127-121, overcoming the 41-point, 21-rebound display from Joel Embiid. Lone European action featured Furkan Korkmaz at three points, two assists, and one rebound in losing effort.
Earlier, the Miami Heat beat the Denver Nuggets, 125-105.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. x-Milwaukee Bucks 54-12
2. x-Toronto Raptors 47-18
3. x-Boston Celtics 43-22
4. x-Miami Heat 42-24
5. x-Indiana Pacers 40-26
6. x-Philadelphia 76ers 39-27
7. Orlando Magic 31-35
8. Brooklyn Nets 30-35
9. Washington Wizards 24-41
Western Conference
1. x-Los Angeles Lakers 50-15
2. x-Los Angeles Clippers 45-21
3. x-Denver Nuggets 43-23
4. x-Utah Jazz 42-24
5. x-Houston Rockets 41-24
6. x-Oklahoma City Thunder 41-24
7. Dallas Mavericks 40-28
8. Memphis Grizzlies 32-34
9. Portland Trail Blazers 30-37
10. San Antonio Spurs 28-36
11. Sacramento Kings 28-37
12. New Orleans Pelicans 28-38
13. Phoenix Suns 27-39
x-clinched a playoffs spot
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