By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Digging their way out of a 14-point hole to avoid an upset in Vivint Arena, the Utah Jazz beat the San Antonio Spurs, 118-102, Saturday.
“It was the defense that was the difference maker, just getting out in transition and running to get into a good rhythm,” said Lauri Markkanen after putting in 14 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter of the NBA Saturdays affair. The Finnish All-Star additionally chipped in four rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes. Following up on the 43-point showing coming out of the All-Star Game held in Salt Lake City, he made 9/17 field goals in the latest brilliant showing scattered across the 2022-23 NBA Regular Season.
Italian reserve Simone Fontecchio threw in 11 points, one steal, one assist, and one rebound over 13 minutes helping the Jazz get 1.5 games away from a direct ticket to the Playoffs. For the Spurs, on the brink of elimination with the losing streak rolling to 16 games, Polish Jeremy Sochan registered a team-high 22 points alongside six rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes.
Dealing with an early 29-point deficit, the Western Conference leaders Denver Nuggets fell, 112-94, to the Memphis Grizzlies in FedExForum. Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic went for 15 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists in the losing effort. Spanish Santi Aldama tallied five points, six rebounds, two steals, and one assist as the Grizzlies cut the deficit from the top of the standings to five games.
Combining 12 points with ten rebounds in Madison Square Garden, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas was not enough for the New Orleans Pelicans in the loss, 128-106, to the New York Knicks. Spanish teammate Willy Hernangomez had nine points, eight rebounds, and three steals. For the Knicks, celebrating the golden anniversary of the 1973 championship, German Isaiah Hartenstein contributed four points, ten rebounds, and two assists.
More NBA Saturdays action and European showings
Detroit Pistons – Toronto Raptors 91-95 (Bojan Bogdanovic 11pts, 9reb, Killian Hayes 3pts, 6ast – Jakob Poeltl 9pts, 14reb, 4ast, 2stl, O.G. Anunoby 6pts)
Charlotte Hornets – Miami Heat 108-103
Orlando Magic – Indiana Pacers 108-121 (Franz Wagner 21pts, 6reb, Paolo Banchero 19pts, 6reb, Moritz Wagner 8pts, Goga Bitadze 6pts, 6reb)
Philadelphia 76ers – Boston Celtics 107-110
2022-23 STANDINGS
EAST
| TEAM | W | L | LAST 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOSTON | 44 | 17 | |
| 42 | 17 | ||
| 39 | 20 | ||
| 38 | 25 | ||
| 34 | 25 | ||
| NEW YORK | 35 | 27 | |
| MIAMI | 32 | 29 | |
| ATLANTA | 30 | 30 | |
| 30 | 31 | ||
| 28 | 31 | ||
| 27 | 33 | ||
| 27 | 35 | ||
| ORLANDO | 25 | 36 | |
| CHARLOTTE | 17 | 43 | |
| DETROIT | 15 | 46 |
WEST
| TEAM | W | L | LAST 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DENVER | 42 | 18 | |
| MEMPHIS | 36 | 23 | |
| 3 SACRAMENTO | 34 | 25 | |
| 33 | 28 | 7-3 | |
| 32 | 29 | ||
| 32 | 29 | ||
| 31 | 31 | ||
| 31 | 31 | 5-5 | |
| 9 GOLDEN STATE | 30 | 30 | 4-6 |
| 30 | 31 | ||
| 28 | 31 | ||
| 28 | 31 | ||
| 28 | 32 | ||
| 14 | 47 | ||
| 13 | 46 |
-Top six teams of each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seeded 7th to 10th will compete in Play-In tournament
Photo Credit: Getty Images