By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Dallas Mavericks edged the San Antonio Spurs, 104-99, on Thursday evening.
Luka Doncic poured ten of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter, also registered five assists and three rebounds. German Maxi Kleber posted a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double with Latvian Kristaps Porzingis out due to a swollen right knee. Also sidelined, Serbian Boban Marjanovic with lower back tightness, but French Frank Ntilikina suited up packing six points. On the losing end, Austrian Jakob Poeltl logged a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double.
Latvian Davis Bertans put up ten points and Israeli Deni Avdija five points for the Washington Wizards in the win, 122-111, versus the Atlanta Hawks. French Joel Ayayi did not play. Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic got 14 points on the wrong end of the result, while Swiss Clint Capela finished with 11 points and Italian Danilo Gallinari six points. No playing time for French Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.
The Utah Jazz became the last remaining undefeated team of the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season after routing the Houston Rockets, 122-91. Croatian Bojan Bogdanovic poured a game-high 19 points and French Rudy Gobert posted a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double. For the hosts, Turkish Alperen Sengun scored 14 points and German Daniel Theis seven points, but Spanish Usman Garuba was limited to 0/2 threes in ten minutes.
Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic went for 22 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, but the Chicago Bulls tasted defeat, 104-103, to the New York Knicks. French Evan Fournier was held to 4/14 field goals and ten points in the win.
Elsewhere, Turkish Furkan Korkmaz contributed seven points to the 110-102 victory of the Philadelphia 76ers over the Detroit Pistons. French Killian Hayes had nine points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals for the losing side.
Serbian Nemanja Bjelica had four points behind 2/6 as the Golden State Warriors lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, 104-101, in overtime.
Thursday results:
Philadelphia 76ers – Detroit Pistons 110-102
Washington Wizards – Atlanta Hawks 122-111
Chicago Bulls – New York Knicks 103-104
Houston Rockets – Utah Jazz 91-122
Dallas Mavericks – San Antonio Spurs 104-99
Golden State Warriors – Memphis Grizzlies 101-104 OT (98-98)
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. New York Knicks 4-1
2. Charlotte Hornets 4-1
3. Chicago Bulls 4-1
4. Washington Wizards 4-1
5. Miami Heat 3-1
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 3-2
7. Milwaukee Bucks 3-2
8. Atlanta Hawks 3-2
9. Philadelphia 76ers 3-2
10. Toronto Raptors 2-3
11. Brooklyn Nets 2-3
12. Boston Celtics 2-3
13. Orlando Magic 1-4
14. Indiana Pacers 1-4
15. Detroit Pistons 0-4
Western Conference
1. Utah Jazz 4-0
2. Golden State Warriors 4-1
3. Dallas Mavericks 3-1
4. Minnesota Timberwolves 3-1
5. Memphis Grizzlies 3-2
6. Sacramento Kings 2-2
7. Denver Nuggets 2-2
8. Portland Trail Blazers 2-2
9. Los Angeles Lakers 2-3
10. Phoenix Suns 1-3
11. Los Angeles Clippers 1-3
12. Houston Rockets 1-4
13. New Orleans Pelicans 1-4
14. Oklahoma City Thunder 1-4
15. San Antonio Spurs 1-4
Photo Credit: Getty Images