By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Kyrie Irving went for 40 points hitting nine of the franchise-record 27 three-pointers, and James Harden produced a triple-double of 29 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds for the Brooklyn Nets in the away win, 136-125, against the Sacramento Kings. Kevin Durant missed Monday’s game due to a mild left hamstring strain. French guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot added eight points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal for the visitors. Serbian Nemanja Bjelica in his third game back in the Kings rotation did not check any marks on the stat sheet.
Croatian Ivica Zubac logged 22 points and eight rebounds helping the Los Angeles Clippers defeat the Miami Heat, 125-118, at home, despite missing both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Congolese-Spanish Serge Ibaka threw in seven points and nine rebounds, while Marcus Morris banked a season-high 32 points powered by 6/8 threes. Slovenian Goran Dragic remained out for the Heat due to a sprained left ankle as teammate Jimmy Butler sneaked in a triple-double of 30 points, 10 rebounds, and ten assists.
The NBA leader, Utah Jazz took down the Philadelphia 76ers, 134-123, behind Jordan Clarkson’s 40 points and despite a career-high 42 points registered by Ben Simmons for the Eastern Conference leaders. Croatian Bojan Bogdanovic and French Rudy Gobert contributed 11 points apiece to the eighth win in a row. On the opposite end, Turkish Furkan Korkmaz failed to score as he was held to 0/5 field goals in 21 minutes.
The Chicago Bulls beat the Indiana Pacers, 120-112, in overtime on the road. Finnish Lauri Markkanen was sidelined, but Czech Tomas Satoransky made a solid contribution of 13 points, four assists, three rebounds, and one steal off the bench. Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis registered 25 points, ten rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and one steal for the losing side, while Georgian Goga Bitadze did not display a stat in limited action.
With John Wall meeting the Washington Wizards and Bradley Beal, his former team defeated the Houston Rockets, 131-119. Latvian Davis Bertans scored 18 points mainly generated by five triples, German Moritz Wagner added 15 points, and Israeli Deni Avdija threw in five more points. Beal led the way with 37 points and Russell Westbrook posted a 16-point, 15-assist, 13-rebound triple-double, while Wall finished with 29 points.
Julius Randle connected seven three-pointers and poured 44 points leading the New York Knicks to their third straight victory, 123-112, against the Atlanta Hawks. Italian Danilo Gallinari got 16 points and Swish Clint Capela a 15-point, 18-rebound double-double for the slumping visitors.
Also, the Golden State Warriors routed the Cleveland Cavaliers, 129-98. Stephen Curry finished with 7/11 threes and 36 points. Turkish Cedi Osman got 17 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in the eighth straight loss for the Cavs.
Monday results:
Indiana Pacers – Chicago Bulls 112-120 OT (105-105)
Washington Wizards – Houston Rockets 131-119
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 123-112
Utah Jazz – Philadelphia 76ers 134-123
Golden State Warriors – Cleveland Cavaliers 129-98
Los Angeles Clippers – Miami Heat 125-118
Sacramento Kings – Brooklyn Nets 125-136
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Philadelphia 76ers 18-10
2. Milwaukee Bucks 16-11
3. Brooklyn Nets 17-12
4. Indiana Pacers 14-14
5. Boston Celtics 13-13
6. New York Knicks 14-15
7. Charlotte Hornets 13-15
8. Toronto Raptors 12-15
9. Chicago Bulls 11-15
10. Atlanta Hawks 11-16
11. Miami Heat 11-16
12. Orlando Magic 10-18
13. Cleveland Cavaliers 10-19
14. Washington Wizards 8-17
15. Detroit Pistons 8-19
Western Conference
1. Utah Jazz 23-5
2. Los Angeles Lakers 21-7
3. Los Angeles Clippers 21-8
4. Phoenix Suns 17-9
5. Portland Trail Blazers 16-10
6. San Antonio Spurs 16-11
7. Denver Nuggets 15-11
8. Golden State Warriors 15-13
9. Memphis Grizzlies 11-11
10. Dallas Mavericks 13-15
11. Sacramento Kings 12-15
12. New Orleans Pelicans 11-15
13. Oklahoma City Thunder 11-15
14. Houston Rockets 11-16
15. Minnesota Timberwolves 7-20
Photo Credit: Getty Images