By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Dallas Mavericks already without Slovenian star Luka Doncic, saw Kristaps Porzingis forced to the locker room with right foot soreness. They were defeated, 111-105, by the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday.
The Latvian big man had 13 points until exiting in the third quarter of the 2021-22 Regular Season contest. German Maxi Kleber packed six points, 14 rebounds, and three assists coming off the bench. Serbian Boban Marjanovic did not play, while French Frank Ntilikina due to a non-COVID illness was among the players sidelined.
Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic posted a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double plus two assists and one steal in 35 minutes for the Chicago Bulls in the home win, 115-100, over the Los Angeles Lakers. Fellow Montenegrin Marko Simonovic stayed on the bench.
French Killian Hayes banked in 11 points lasting 21 minutes in his latest start as the Detroit Pistons prevailed, 100-90, over the Miami Heat. On the losing end, Turkish Omer Yurtseven produced six points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks.
Jusuf Nurkic went for nine points and 11 rebounds helping the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 105-100. French Killian Tillie registered one rebound with compatriot Yves Pons on the bench and Santi Aldama out with calf soreness.
Jakob Poeltl had four points in the San Antonio Spurs loss, 121-114, to the Sacramento Kings. On the winning side, Neemias Queta did not get on the court and Alex Len remained on the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
Elsewhere, the Phoenix Suns topped the Charlotte Hornets, 137-106, with Croatian Dario Saric still on the recovery path from the torn right ACL. Lithuanian Arnoldas Kulboka stayed on assignment by the Hornets.
Sunday results:
Detroit Pistons – Miami Heat 100-90
Memphis Grizzlies – Portland Trail Blazers 100-105
Sacramento Kings – San Antonio Spurs 121-114
Chicago Bulls – Los Angeles Lakers 115-110
Minnesota Timberwolves – Dallas Mavericks 111-105
Phoenix Suns – Charlotte Hornets 137-106
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Brooklyn Nets 21-9
2. Chicago Bulls 18-10
3. Cleveland Cavaliers 19-12
4. Milwaukee Bucks 19-13
5. Miami Heat 18-13
6. Washington Wizards 16-15
7. Charlotte Hornets 16-16
8. Boston Celtics 15-15
9. Philadelphia 76ers 15-15
10. Toronto Raptors 14-15
11. Atlanta Hawks 14-15
12. New York Knicks 13-17
13. Indiana Pacers 13-18
14. Orlando Magic 6-25
15. Detroit Pistons 5-24
Western Conference
1. Phoenix Suns 24-5
2. Golden State Warriors 24-6
3. Utah Jazz 20-9
4. Memphis Grizzlies 19-12
5. Los Angeles Clippers 16-14
6. Denver Nuggets 15-14
7. Los Angeles Lakers 16-15
8. Minnesota Timberwolves 15-15
9. Dallas Mavericks 14-15
10. Sacramento Kings 13-18
11. Portland Trail Blazers 13-18
12. San Antonio Spurs 11-18
13. Houston Rockets 10-20
14. New Orleans Pelicans 10-21
15. Oklahoma City Thunder 9-19
Photo Credit: Getty Images