By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After three losses in a row without Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 112-104, in overtime.
The Slovenian superstar recorded 26 points, nine assists, nine rebounds, a couple of blocks, and one steal. Latvian Kristaps Porzingis poured a game-high 30 points, including six points in the extra period, and also pulled down seven rebounds in the 2021-22 Regular Season contest held Tuesday at Staples Center. German Maxi Kleber went for eight points, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block. Serbian Boban Marjanovic did not register a stat in a limited appearance and French Frank Ntilikina stat out with a right calf strain.
More European action on the losing side as Croatian starter Ivica Zubac paired ten points with seven rebounds, German Isaiah Hartenstein had four points and five rebounds, and Serge Ibaka one point and two rebounds, but French Nicolas Batum was sidelined after entering NBA’s health and safety protocols. Paul George had forced overtime with a three-point buzzer-beater to complete the 11-1 run at the end of regulation.
Elsewhere, Nikola Jokic remained out with the right wrist injury and the Denver Nuggets lost to the Portland Trail Blazers, 119-100. Slovenian Vlatko Cancar scored one point in his season debut and French Petr Cornelie grabbed two rebounds. For the hosts, Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic contributed six points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.
Evan Fournier banked in a team-high 26 points powering the New York Knicks in the win, 106-100, against the Los Angeles Lakers. Four rebounds and two assists were also included in the stat sheet for the French sharpshooter. Croatian Luka Samanic was held to G League action.
Turkish Omer Yurtseven stayed on the bench as the Miami Heat beat the Detroit Pistons, 100-92. French Killian Hayes was on the Pistons injury list with a left thumb sprain.
Tuesday results:
Detroit Pistons – Miami Heat 92-100
New York Knicks – Los Angeles Lakers 106-100
Portland Trail Blazers – Denver Nuggets 119-100
Los Angeles Clippers – Dallas Mavericks 104-112 OT (103-103)
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Brooklyn Nets 13-5
2. Miami Heat 12-6
3. Chicago Bulls 12-6
4. Washington Wizards 11-6
5. Charlotte Hornets 11-8
6. New York Knicks 10-8
7. Boston Celtics 10-8
8. Milwaukee Bucks 10-8
9. Philadelphia 76ers 10-8
10. Cleveland Cavaliers 9-9
11. Atlanta Hawks 9-9
12. Toronto Raptors 8-10
13. Indiana Pacers 8-11
14. Detroit Pistons 4-13
15. Orlando Magic 4-14
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors 15-2
2. Phoenix Suns 14-3
3. Utah Jazz 11-6
4. Dallas Mavericks 10-7
5. Los Angeles Clippers 10-8
6. Portland Trail Blazers 10-8
7. Memphis Grizzlies 9-8
8. Denver Nuggets 9-9
9. Los Angeles Lakers 9-10
10. Minnesota Timberwolves 8-9
11. Oklahoma City Thunder 6-11
12. Sacramento Kings 6-12
13. San Antonio Spurs 4-12
14. New Orleans Pelicans 3-16
15. Houston Rockets 1-16
Photo Credit: Getty Images