By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Lauri Markkanen keeps on playing like an NBA All-Star, putting up 31 points in the Utah Jazz’s 132-129 win in overtime against the first seed in the West, the New Orleans Pelicans.
Jordan Clarkson also had an incredible night, ending the game with 39 points, his season-high. Simone Fontecchio didn’t play.
Jonas Valanciunas struggled with 6 points and 9 rebounds on the losing side. Zion Williamson wasn’t enough with 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.
In Memphis, the Milwaukee Bucks suffered a 142-101 loss. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a rough night compared to his usual standards, with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, while shooting 5/13 FG.
On the winning side, Ja Morant recorded a triple-double, while the Spanish big Santi Aldama contributed with 14 points off the bench.
Alperen Sengun had a losing effort of 12 points and 5 rebounds in the Houston Rockets’ 111-108 loss at home against the Miami Heat, with Tyler Herro’s career-high 41 points.
Nicolas Batum only had 3 points in 10 minutes on the court in the Clippers’ 111-95 home loss against the Phoenix Suns.
Results:
Houston Rockets – Miami Heat 108-111 (Sengun 12 p, 5 r; Garuba 2 p, 9 r)
Memphis Grizzlies – Milwaukee Bucks 142-101 (Aldama 14 p; Giannis Antetokounmpo 19 p, 6 r, 5 a; Thanasis Antetokounmpo 3 p)
Utah Jazz – New Orleans Pelicans 132-129 OT (Markkanen 31 p, 5 r, 3 a; Valanciunas 6 p, 9 r)
Los Angeles Clippers – Phoenix Suns 95-111 (Batum 3 p)
Standings:
Western Conference
1. Memphis Grizzlies 19-9
2. New Orleans Pelicans 18-10
3. Denver Nuggets 17-10
4. Phoenix Suns 17-12
5. Portland Trail Blazers 16-12
6. Sacramento Kings 15-12
7. Utah Jazz 17-14
8. Los Angeles Clippers 17-14
9. Dallas Mavericks 14-14
10. Golden State Warriors 14-15
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 13-15
12. Los Angeles Lakers 11-16
13. Oklahoma City Thunder 11-17
14. San Antonio Spurs 9-19
15. Houston Rockets 9-19
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 22-7
2. Milwaukee Bucks 20-8
3. Cleveland Cavaliers 18-11
4. Brooklyn Nets 17-12
5. Philadelphia 76ers 15-12
6. New York Knicks 15-13
7. Indiana Pacers 15-14
8. Miami Heat 15-15
9. Atlanta Hawks 14-15
10. Toronto Raptors 13-15
11. Chicago Bulls 11-16
12. Washington Wizards 11-18
13. Orlando Magic 9-20
14. Charlotte Hornets 7-21
15. Detroit Pistons 8-22
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images