By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Finn forward Lauri Markkanen had 31 points and 10 rebounds, and the Jazz dominated on both ends of the court in a 121-105 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Markkanen made a season-high 11 field goals while shooting 69% from the floor and was also great on defense.
“He has good feet, and he knows how to use his size and length. He’s a legit 7-footer,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “His size, coupled with his ability to move, makes him a good defender.”
Ja Morant had 37 points to pace the Grizzlies but they were not enough. Spaniard Santi Aldama added three points and eight rebounds for the losing side.
Meanwhile, the Bucks remain the only undefeated team in the NBA as Jrue Holiday made the big shot that gave them the 110-108 victory over the Pistons. He had 25 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds.
The Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points, while Croatian sharp-shooter Bojan Bogdanovic added 23 for the Pistons.
Latvian Kristaps Porzingis scored 32 points, but James Harden scored 23 points and had 17 assists as the Philadelphia 76ers got the 118-111 victory over the Washington Wizards despite missing Joel Embiid due to non-COVID-19 related illness. Israeli Deni Avdija had one rebound and two assists.
The rest of last night’s games were the following:
Charlotte – Sacramento 108-115 (Sabonis 9 p. 16 r. 7 as.)
Brooklyn – Indiana 116-109 (Bitadze 2 p. 3 r. 2 as.)
Toronto – Atlanta 139-109 (Capela 13 p. 5 r., Krejci 5 p.)
LA Clippers – Houston 95-93 (Zubac 16 p. 12 r. Batum 2 p. 3 r. – Sengun 14 p. Garuba 2 p. 8 r.)
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 6-0
2. Cleveland Cavaliers 5-1
3. Boston Celtics 4-2
4. Atlanta Hawks 4-3
5. Toronto Raptors 4-3
6. Philadelphia 76ers 4-4
7. New York Knicks 3-3
8. Washington Wizards 3-4
9. Charlotte Hornets 3-4
10. Chicago Bulls 3-4
11. Indiana Pacers 3-5
12. Miami Heat 2-5
13. Brooklyn Nets 2-5
14. Detroit Pistons 2-6
15. Orlando Magic 1-6
Western Conference
1. Phoenix Suns 5-1
2. Portland Trail Blazers 5-1
3. Utah Jazz 6-2
4. San Antonio Spurs 5-2
5. New Orleans Pelicans 4-2
6. Memphis Grizzlies 4-3
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 4-3
8. Denver Nuggets 4-3
9. Dallas Mavericks 3-3
10. Oklahoma City Thunder 3-3
11. Golden State Warriors 3-4
12. Los Angeles Clippers 3-4
13. Sacramento Kings 2-4
14. Los Angeles Lakers 1-5
15. Houston Rockets 1-7