By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic becoming the sixth player in NBA history with 100 career triple-doubles highlighted Tuesday’s ten-game schedule. The Serbian superstar, reigning back-to-back season MVP, joined Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd, and LeBron James on the list. His 14 points, 11 rebounds, and ten assists lifted the Denver Nuggets to the win, 133-112, against the slumping Houston Rockets in Toyota Center.
“I appreciate how we played. That’s what I appreciate,” he downplayed reaching the milestone, “But all the, let’s say achievements, awards, contracts or whatever, it’s just — I don’t want to say coming naturally — but you don’t chase it. It’s really nice. I think it’s going to be the best when you finish (your) career and just look behind you and see what you did.”
Slovenian Vlatko Cancar chipped in nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal over 27 minutes coming off the bench for the team coached by Michael Malone. For Houston, Serbian Boban Marjanovic ended up with eight points, Turkish Alperen Sengun had seven points, eight assists, two rebounds, and two blocks, and Spanish Usman Garuba recorded three points and seven rebounds.
From the Western Conference leaders to the Eastern Conference counterparts playing at Barclays Center, the Milwaukee Bucks drew a 15th win in a row by beating the Brooklyn Nets, 118-104. Returning to action, Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a 33-point, 15-rebound double-double paired with four assists and one steal. His brother Thanasis also checked in and lasted two minutes.
Spoiling the 24th birthday of Luka Doncic, the Indiana Pacers dropped the Dallas Mavericks, 124-122, behind 32 points scored by Tyrese Haliburton in American Airlines Center. The Slovenian sensation tallied 39 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in the loss. Cleared from a torn hamstring, German Maxi Kleber registered nine points, two assists, and one block.
Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis neared a triple-double logging 22 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, and one block as the Sacramento Kings beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 123-117, in Paycom Center. On the opposite end, Croatian Dario Saric piled up a season-high 21 points alongside eight rebounds and two assists.
More action and European showings
Atlanta Hawks – Washington Wizards 116-119 (Bogdan Bogdanovic 16pts, Clint Capela 13pts, 15reb, 3blk – Deni Avdija 4pts, 13reb)
Memphis Grizzlies – Los Angeles Lakers 121-109 (Santi Aldama 6pts – Dennis Schroder 10pts, 10ast)
Toronto Raptors – Chicago Bulls 104-98 (O.G. Anunoby 17pts, 8reb, Jakob Poeltl 14pts, 3stl, 2blk – Nikola Vucevic 23pts)
Utah Jazz – San Antonio Spurs 94-102 (Lauri Markkanen 28pts, 10reb, Simone Fontecchio 2ast – Jeremy Sochan 13pts, 6reb, 6ast)
Golden State Warriors – Portland Trail Blazers 123-105
Los Angeles Clippers – Minnesota Timberwolves 101-108 (Ivica Zubac 12pts, 9reb, 2blk, Nicolas Batum 3pts, 3stl – Rudy Gobert 16pts, 7reb, 2blk)
2022-23 STANDINGS
EAST
| TEAM | W | L | LAST 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MILWAUKEE | 44 | 17 | |
| 44 | 18 | ||
| 39 | 21 | ||
| 39 | 25 | ||
| 36 | 27 | ||
| BROOKLYN | 34 | 27 | |
| MIAMI | 33 | 29 | |
| ATLANTA | 31 | 31 | |
| 31 | 32 | ||
| 29 | 32 | ||
| 28 | 34 | ||
| 28 | 35 | ||
| ORLANDO | 26 | 36 | |
| CHARLOTTE | 20 | 43 | |
| DETROIT | 15 | 47 |
WEST
| TEAM | W | L | LAST 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DENVER | 44 | 19 | |
| MEMPHIS | 37 | 23 | |
| 3 SACRAMENTO | 36 | 25 | |
| 33 | 29 | 6-4 | |
| 32 | 30 | ||
| 33 | 31 | ||
| 32 | 31 | ||
| 32 | 32 | 4-6 | |
| 9 UTAH | 31 | 32 | 4-6 |
| 30 | 32 | ||
| 29 | 32 | ||
| 29 | 33 | ||
| 28 | 33 | ||
| 15 | 47 | ||
| 13 | 48 |
-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