By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Dallas Mavericks beat the New Orleans Pelicans, 125-118, in the final day of 2021-22 Regular Season action before the NBA All-Star break.
Red-hot Luka Doncic poured 49 points to go along with 15 rebounds, and eight assists in 38 minutes. The Slovenian star was 17/35 from the field, including 7/14 from beyond the arc. German Maxi Kleber added a season-high 20 points, while Latvian Davis Bertans threw in three points. Serbian Boban Marjanovic stayed on the bench and French Frank Ntilikina was sidelined with a sore left ankle. For the Pels, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas posted a 16-point, 18-rebound double-double but Spanish Willy Hernangomez did not enter the game.
Joel Embiid dropped 42 points leading the Philadelphia 76ers to the win, 123-120, against the Milwaukee Bucks. Turkish Furkan Korkmaz contributed 13 points and seven rebounds. On the opposite end, Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo ended up with 32 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, three steals, and one block. Serge Ibaka had five points, six rebounds, and two assists, but fellow European reserves Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Sandro Mamukelashvili did not score.
Croatian Ivica Zubac posted a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double and German Isaiah Hartenstein tallied 13 more points as the Los Angeles Clippers routed the Houston Rockets, 142-111. French Nicolas Batum finished with three points and four rebounds. For the Rockets, German Dennis Schroder made out nine points and nine assists, while Turkish Alperen Sengun went for four points, four assists, and three rebounds. Spanish Usman Garuba (left wrist) remained out.
Israeli Deni Avdija chipped in 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block helping the Washington Wizards defeat the Brooklyn Nets, 117-103, on the road. Latvian Kristaps Porzingis (right knee) stayed on the injury list and French Joel Ayayi on assignment with the Capital City Go-Go.
In double-overtime action, the Miami Heat edged the Charlotte Hornets, 111-107. Turkish Omer Yurtseven chipped in ten points and six rebounds in 14 minutes. For the losing side, Lithuanian Arnoldas Kulboka was on assignment with the Greensboro Swarm.
Thursday results:
Charlotte Hornets – Miami Heat 107-111 2OT (97-97, 87-87)
Brooklyn Nets – Washington Wizards 103-117
New Orleans Pelicans – Dallas Mavericks 118-125
Milwaukee Bucks – Philadelphia 76ers 120-123
Los Angeles Clippers – Houston Rockets 142-111
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Miami Heat 38-21
2. Chicago Bulls 38-21
3. Cleveland Cavaliers 35-23
4. Philadelphia 76ers 35-23
5. Milwaukee Bucks 36-24
6. Boston Celtics 34-26
7. Toronto Raptors 32-25
8. Brooklyn Nets 31-28
9. Atlanta Hawks 28-30
10. Charlotte Hornets 29-31
11. Washington Wizards 27-31
12. New York Knicks 25-34
13. Indiana Pacers 20-40
14. Detroit Pistons 13-45
15. Orlando Magic 13-47
Western Conference
1. Phoenix Suns 48-10
2. Golden State Warriors 42-17
3. Memphis Grizzlies 41-19
4. Utah Jazz 36-22
5. Dallas Mavericks 35-24
6. Denver Nuggets 33-25
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 31-28
8. Los Angeles Clippers 30-31
9. Los Angeles Lakers 27-31
10. Portland Trail Blazers 25-34
11. San Antonio Spurs 23-36
12. New Orleans Pelicans 23-36
13. Sacramento Kings 22-38
14. Oklahoma City Thunder 18-40
15. Houston Rockets 15-43
Photo Credit: Getty Images