By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nicolas Batum poured a team-high 18 points to go along with his six rebounds, two assists, and two steals for the Los Angeles Clippers rallying to the win, 109-105, against the Miami Heat, on Thursday. The French swingman helped escape an 18-point hole in spite of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George remaining sidelined. Serge Ibaka posted a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double and Croatian Ivica Zubac added six points, eight rebounds, and two blocks off the bench. Slovenian Goran Dragic was among the several players out for the hosts.
Second loss in a row for the Los Angeles Lakers, 107-92, to the Detroit Pistons. Dennis Schroder registered ten points, four assists, and three rebounds at the Little Caesars Arena. Teammate Marc Gasol did not produce any points in 25 minutes but landed nine rebounds and four assists. For the winning side, Sekou Doumbouya logged two points, but fellow Europeans Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and Deividas Sirvydis failed to score.
The Houston Rockets stormed back from a 20-point deficit to beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 104-101. Enes Kanter posted a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double retaining his spot in the starting unit with Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic on the Blazers injury list.
Also, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Golden State Warriors, 114-93. Italian Nico Mannion punched in four rebounds and two assists for the losing side.
Thursday results:
Houston Rockets – Portland Trail Blazers 104-101
Detroit Pistons – Los Angeles Lakers 107-92
Miami Heat – Los Angeles Clippers 105-109
Phoenix Suns – Golden State Warriors 114-93
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Philadelphia 76ers 13-6
2. Milwaukee Bucks 11-6
3. Indiana Pacers 11-7
4. Brooklyn Nets 12-8
5. Boston Celtics 10-7
6. Atlanta Hawks 9-9
7. Cleveland Cavaliers 9-9
8. New York Knicks 8-11
9. Orlando Magic 8-11
10. Chicago Bulls 7-10
11. Toronto Raptors 7-11
12. Charlotte Hornets 7-11
13. Miami Heat 6-12
14. Detroit Pistons 5-14
15. Washington Wizards 3-11
Western Conference
1. Utah Jazz 14-4
2. Los Angeles Clippers 14-5
3. Los Angeles Lakers 14-6
4. Denver Nuggets 11-7
5. San Antonio Spurs 10-8
6. Memphis Grizzlies 7-6
7. Phoenix Suns 9-8
8. Portland Trail Blazers 9-8
9. Golden State Warriors 10-9
10. Houston Rockets 8-9
11. Oklahoma City Thunder 8-9
12. Dallas Mavericks 8-10
13. Sacramento Kings 7-10
14. New Orleans Pelicans 6-10
15. Minnesota Timberwolves 4-13
Photo Credit: Getty Images