By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Luka Doncic neared a triple-double countering Kyrie Irving’s 45 points as the main part of the win, 113-109, of the Dallas Mavericks against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday. The Slovenian sensation registered 24 points, ten rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. Italian Nicolo Melli grabbed a couple of rebounds. Serbian Boban Marjanovic did not play, while Latvian Kristaps Porzingis and German Maxi Kleber were sidelined with injuries.
Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis contributed 30 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds lifting the Indiana Pacers over the Atlanta Hawks, 133-126. Georgian teammate Goga Bitadze added two points after his fine. On the opposite end, Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic finished with 28 points behind six triples, Italian Danilo Gallinari with 15 points, and Swiss Clint Capela with ten points.
Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic led a big starting lineup carrying a 29-point, 14-rebound double-double in his return to action as the Chicago Bulls dominated the Charlotte Hornets, 120-99, on the road. Starting alongside Vucevic, German Daniel Theis went for 12 points. Finnish Lauri Markkanen with ten points and Czech Tomas Satoransky with eight contributed off the bench.
Croatian Ivica Zubac chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds helping the Los Angeles Clippers overpower the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers, 118-94. French Nicolas Batum combined his five points with six rebounds. Spanish Marc Gasol and Greek Kostas Antetokounmpo did not score in limited action for the losing side of the latest battle of LA teams.
French Theo Maledon generated 15 points, eight assists, four rebounds, and two steals for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the loss, 118-97, to the Golden State Warriors. Italian Nico Mannion sneaked in one assist and one steal but Serbian Alen Smailagic did not get on the board for the winning side.
Back on French youngsters, Sekou Doumbouya rocked 14 points and six rebounds for the Detroit Pistons in the 111-97 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas posted a 19-point, 16-rebound double-double for the losing side.
Latvian Davis Bertans connected 3/8 three-pointers combining 14 points with five rebounds in the Washington Wizards’ overtime win, 131-129, versus the Toronto Raptors. Ukrainian Alex Len threw in ten points as a starter.
Thursday results:
Charlotte Hornets – Chicago Bulls 99-120
Dallas Mavericks – Brooklyn Nets 113-109
Toronto Raptors – Washington Wizards 129-131 OT (115-115)
Detroit Pistons – Memphis Grizzlies 111-97
Indiana Pacers – Atlanta Hawks 133-126
Golden State Warriors – Oklahoma City Thunder 118-97
Los Angeles Clippers – Los Angeles Lakers 118-94
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. y-Philadelphia 76ers 45-21
2. y-Brooklyn Nets 43-24
3. y-Milwaukee Bucks 42-24
4. New York Knicks 37-29
5. Atlanta Hawks 37-31
6. Boston Celtics 35-31
7. Miami Heat 35-31
8. Charlotte Hornets 32-34
9. Indiana Pacers 31-35
10. Washington Wizards 31-36
11. Chicago Bulls 27-39
12. Toronto Raptors 27-40
13. x-Orlando Magic 21-45
14. x-Cleveland Cavaliers 21-45
15. x-Detroit Pistons 20-47
Western Conference
1. y-Utah Jazz 48-18
2. y-Phoenix Suns 47-19
3. y-Los Angeles Clippers 45-22
4. y-Denver Nuggets 44-22
5. Dallas Mavericks 38-28
6. Los Angeles Lakers 37-29
7. Portland Trail Blazers 37-29
8. Golden State Warriors 34-33
9. Memphis Grizzlies 33-33
10. San Antonio Spurs 31-34
11. New Orleans Pelicans 30-36
12. Sacramento Kings 29-37
13. x-Oklahoma City Thunder 21-46
14. x-Minnesota Timberwolves 20-46
15. x-Houston Rockets 16-50
y-clinched a playoff berth
x-eliminated
Photo Credit: Getty Images