By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Lauri Markkanen keeps on being unstoppable since his arrival at the Utah Jazz and registered his NBA scoring career-high against the Phoenix Suns.
In the 134-133 thrilling victory, the Finnish leader had 38 points and 6 rebounds, shooting 15/18 from the field. Simone Fontecchio added 4 points off the bench.
On the losing side, Devin Booker erupted for 49 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists but it wasn’t enough. Dario Saric had 4 points and 6 rebounds off the bench.
Luka Doncic got the 50th triple-double in his NBA career, helping the Dallas Mavericks beat the Denver Nuggets 127-99. The Slovenian superstar had 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Denver didn’t have Nikola Jokic, who missed a second straight game due to the health and safety protocols. Luka Doncic’s fellow countryman Vlatko Cancar scored 8 points off the bench for the Nuggets.
In the game that saw Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid going against each other, the Philadelphia 76ers escaped with the 110-102 win.
The 28-year-old center went close to a triple-double with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. The Greek Freak had 25 points and 14 rebounds in his team’s loss.
The Miami Heat couldn’t get the victory and lost 107-106 against the Washington Wizards in OT, but Nikola Jovic had a night to remember: 18 points and 6 rebounds. Kyle Lowry had an amazing losing effort of 24 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds.
On the winning side, Kristaps Porzingis stepped up with 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 assists. Rui Hachimura added 13 points and 8 rebounds off the bench.
Bojan Bogdanovic had once again a good game with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, but the Los Angeles Lakers had the upper hand over the Detroit Pistons.
Anthony Davis had his best game of the season with 38 points and 16 rebounds in his team’s 128-121 victory. Russell Westbrook added a double-double of 10 points and 12 assists.
NBA round-up:
Washington Wizards – Miami Heat 107-106 OT (Porzingis 20 p., 17 r., 5 a.; Jovic 18 p., 5 r.)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Charlotte Hornets 132-122 2OT
Philadelphia 76ers – Milwaukee Bucks 110-102 (Antetokounmpo 25 p., 14 r.)
Chicago Bulls – Orlando Magic 107-108 (Wagner 20 p., 8 a.; Vucevic 14 p., 16 r.)
Houston Rockets – Indiana Pacers 91-99 (Sengun 11 p., 9 r.)
Memphis Grizzlies – Oklahoma City Thunder 121-110 (Aldama 15 p., 7 r.; Pokusevski 10 p.)
Dallas Mavericks – Denver Nuggets 127-99 (Doncic 33 p., 12 r., 11 a.)
New Orleans Pelicans – Boston Celtics 109-117 (Valanciunas 10 p.)
Utah Jazz – Phoenix Suns 134-133 (Markkanen 38 p., Fontecchio 4 p.; Saric 4 p., 6 r.)
Golden State Warriors – New York Knicks 111-101
Los Angeles Lakers – Detroit Pistons 128-121 (Bogdanovic 20 p., Hayes 18 p., 9 a.)
Western Conference standings:
1. Portland Trail Blazers 10-5
2. Utah Jazz 11-6
3. Memphis Grizzlies 10-6
4. Phoenix Suns 9-6
5. Dallas Mavericks 9-6
6. Denver Nuggets 9-6
7. Sacramento Kings 8-6
8. New Orleans Pelicans 9-7
9. Los Angeles Clippers 9-7
10. Minnesota Timberwolves 7-8
11. Golden State Warriors 7-9
12. Oklahoma City Thunder 7-9
13. San Antonio Spurs 6-10
14. Los Angeles Lakers 4-10
15. Houston Rockets 3-13
Eastern Conference standings:
1. Boston Celtics 13-3
2. Milwaukee Bucks 11-4
3. Atlanta Hawks 9-6
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 9-6
5. Indiana Pacers 8-6
6. Toronto Raptors 9-7
7. Washington Wizards 9-7
8. Philadelphia 76ers 8-7
9. New York Knicks 8-8
10. Brooklyn Nets 7-9
11. Miami Heat 7-9
12. Chicago Bulls 6-10
13. Orlando Magic 5-11
14. Charlotte Hornets 4-13
15. Detroit Pistons 3-14
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images