By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Denver Nuggets stormed back from an 18-point deficit to prevail, 119-109, versus the shorthanded Orlando Magic on Sunday evening. Serbian Nikola Jokic in his latest leading performance banked a 17-point, 16-assist double-double falling one rebound shy of adding yet another triple-double in his growing collection. Facing his former team, Aaron Gordon dropped a game-high 24 points. Argentine Facundo Campazzo had three points, two rebounds, and one assist in nine minutes.
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Golden State Warriors, 117-111, behind 59 European points. Italian Danilo Gallinari posted a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double coming off the bench, while Swiss Clint Capela registered a 24-point, 18-rebound double-double, and Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic added ten points as members of the starting unit set by interim head coach Nate McMillan. Stephen Curry, returning from injury, poured a game-high 37 points but was not enough for the visitors.
Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas put up his 34th double-double of the 2020-21 NBA Regular Season pairing 16 points with 12 rebounds for the Memphis Grizzlies in the away win, 116-100, versus the Philadelphia 76ers. French Killian Tillie entered the game but did not get on the board. Turkish Furkan Korkmaz in his usual reserve role ended up with five points, three assists, and two rebounds for the hosts.
Among the main contributors for the Boston Celtics in the win, 116-86, over the Charlotte Hornets, Evan Fournier connected four triples and went for 17 points. The French swingman also produced six assists and two steals. He lasted 22 minutes in a second straight solid showing after shaking off a sluggish start in Boston. Another European reserve, German Moritz Wagner threw in three points and three rebounds.
Spanish Willy Hernangomez drew up a season-high 15 points and with a key dunk extending the lead to six points in the last minute helped the New Orleans Pelicans secure the win, 122-115, against the Houston Rockets on the road. He ended up with 7/7 two-point attempts in 26 minutes coming off the bench. Pulling down 12 rebounds shaped his fourth double-double of the current season.
With Serge Ibaka still out, starting Croatian Ivica Zubac recorded six points, nine rebounds, and two blocks as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 104-86. French Nicolas Batum added four points, five rebounds, and four assists off the bench. Spanish Marc Gasol scored 11 points, German Dennis Schroder got eight points, and Greek Kostas Antetokounmpo grabbed one rebound for the depleted losing side.
Sunday results:
Chicago Bulls – Brooklyn Nets 115-107
Los Angeles Clippers – Los Angeles Lakers 104-86
Boston Celtics – Charlotte Hornets 116-86
Philadelphia 76ers – Memphis Grizzlies 100-116
Atlanta Hawks – Golden State Warriors 117-111
Houston Rockets – New Orleans Pelicans 115-122
Denver Nuggets – Orlando Magic 119-109
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Philadelphia 76ers 34-16
2. Brooklyn Nets 34-16
3. Milwaukee Bucks 32-17
4. Atlanta Hawks 26-24
5. Miami Heat 26-24
6. Charlotte Hornets 25-24
7. Boston Celtics 25-25
8. New York Knicks 25-25
9. Indiana Pacers 22-26
10. Chicago Bulls 20-28
11. Toronto Raptors 19-30
12. Washington Wizards 17-31
13. Cleveland Cavaliers 17-32
14. Orlando Magic 17-33
15. Detroit Pistons 14-35
Western Conference
1. Utah Jazz 38-21
2. Phoenix Suns 34-14
3. Los Angeles Clippers 33-18
4. Denver Nuggets 31-18
5. Los Angeles Lakers 31-19
6. Portland Trail Blazers 30-19
7. Dallas Mavericks 27-21
8. Memphis Grizzlies 24-23
9. San Antonio Spurs 24-23
10. Golden State Warriors 23-27
11. New Orleans Pelicans 22-27
12. Sacramento Kings 22-28
13. Oklahoma City Thunder 20-29
14. Houston Rockets 13-36
15. Minnesota Timberwolves 12-38
Photo Credit: Getty Images