By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Dallas Mavericks are one win away from avoiding the play-in tournament and directly entering the 2021 NBA Playoffs following the 125-107 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday. Slovenian Luka Doncic connecting seven triples dropped a total of 33 points alongside eight assists and eight rebounds. Latvian Kristaps Porzingis returned to action with 19 points. In European bench contribution, German Maxi Kleber logged five points, six rebounds, and three assists, Serbian Boban Marjanovic two points, and Italian Nicolo Melli two rebounds. Spanish Willy Hernangomez posted a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double for the guests.
The Atlanta Hawks clinched a playoff berth with the win, 120-116, over the Washington Wizards. Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic threw in 20 points behind 8/15 field goals and Swiss Clint Capela posted a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double. Italian Danilo Gallinari added four points in his usual reserve role. On the opposite end, Latvian Davis Bertans finished with 14 points and Ukrainian starter Alex Len paired six points with ten boards.
James Harden went for 18 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds in his first game back from injury helping the Brooklyn Nets beat the San Antonio Spurs, 128-116. Mike James starting had 12 points, while French Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot pinched in two rebounds and two assists. Austrian Jakob Poeltl generated five points and nine rebounds, and Croatian Luka Samanic two points for the losing side.
Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic logged an 11-point, 15-rebound double-double plus six assists, four blocks, and three steals as the streaking Portland Trail Blazers took down the Utah Jazz, 105-98, on the road. Enes Kanter added five points and four rebounds. The hosts featured French Rudy Gobert packing a 15-point, 20-rebound double-double and Croatian Bojan Bogdanovic at 12 points.
The Cleveland Cavaliers sent off Anderson Varejao after signing him to a ten-day contract for a farewell stint and defeated the Boston Celtics, 102-94. French Evan Fournier hit 15 points in the losing effort. In other action, the Los Angeles Lakers unveiled the 2020 championship banner leading in the narrow win, 124-122, versus the Houston Rockets.
Wednesday results:
Atlanta Hawks – Washington Wizards 120-116
Brooklyn Nets – San Antonio Spurs 128-116
Cleveland Cavaliers – Boston Celtics 102-94
Dallas Mavericks – New Orleans Pelicans 125-107
Utah Jazz – Portland Trail Blazers 98-105
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 124-122
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Y-Philadelphia 76ers 47-22
2. Y-Brooklyn Nets 46-24
3. Y-Milwaukee Bucks 44-25
4. Y-Atlanta Hawks 39-31
5. Y-Miami Heat 38-31
6. Y-New York Knicks 38-31
7. y-Boston Celtics 35-35
8. y-Charlotte Hornets 33-36
9. y-Indiana Pacers 33-36
10. Washington Wizards 32-38
11. Chicago Bulls 29-40
12. x-Toronto Raptors 27-42
13. x-Cleveland Cavaliers 22-48
14. x-Orlando Magic 21-48
15. x-Detroit Pistons 20-50
Western Conference
1. Y-Utah Jazz 50-20
2. Y-Phoenix Suns 48-21
3. Y-Los Angeles Clippers 46-23
4. Y-Denver Nuggets 45-24
5. Portland Trail Blazers 41-29
6. Dallas Mavericks 41-29
7. Los Angeles Lakers 39-30
8. y-Golden State Warriors 37-33
9. y-Memphis Grizzlies 36-33
10. San Antonio Spurs 33-36
11. Sacramento Kings 31-38
12. x-New Orleans Pelicans 31-39
13. x-Minnesota Timberwolves 22-47
14. x-Oklahoma City Thunder 21-49
15. x-Houston Rockets 16-53
Y-clinched playoff berth
y-clinched play-in
x-eliminated
Photo Credit: Getty Images