By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Coming off a three-game losing streak, the Denver Nuggets managed to come back to the winning end, beating the Atlanta Hawks and getting to the 4th spot in the Western Conference with a 15-9 record, in what came out as a Serbian show.
Nikola Jokic went pretty close to a triple-double of 25 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals, shooting 9/13 from the field and contributing to his team’s 129-122 win.
On the other side, instead, Bogdan Bogdanovic came off the bench for a career-high night in both points scored (40) and three-point shots made (10/17). His Swiss teammate Clint Capela added 14 points and 8 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough.
Playing alongside him in the 2019 FIBA World Cup under head coach Sasha Djordjevic, Nikola Jokic commented about Bogdan Bogdanovic. “I think this is the first time in a long time he really moves normally and doesn’t have any pains. I remember when he had games like this when he seemed like he never missed a shot”, the back-to-back NBA MVP said about his countryman.
The Orlando Magic keep on surprising in the current season so far, getting to the 2nd position tied with the Milwaukee Bucks thanks to its Europeans in the win over Cleveland. Paolo Banchero had a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Franz Wagner and Goga Bitadze combined for 34 points.
Despite the loss at the hands of the New York Knicks, O.G. Anunoby shone for the Toronto Raptors, scoring 29 points with 5 rebounds and 5/11 from beyond the arc. Dennis Schroder contributed with another stellar night, adding a double-double of 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals.
The San Antonio Spurs, instead, suffered their 17 consecutive loss in the NBA, marking the franchise’s longest losing streak. Victor Wembanyama had a monster double-double of 15 points and 18 rebounds, while Alperen Sengun got the win by producing a 15-point night with 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
Jonas Valanciunas contributed to New Orleans’ 121-107 victory over Minnesota, as the Lithuanian center had 14 points and 13 rebounds, dominating the clash with Rudy Gobert. The French opponent had 8 points and 8 rebounds for the Timberwolves.
The Sacramento Kings beat the Brooklyn Nets 131-118 thanks to Domantas Sabonis’ almost triple-double of 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 9 assists. Sasha Vezenkov had 2 points and 5 rebounds from the bench for his team’s victory.
Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo went close to a triple-double with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists to push Milwaukee to the 133-129 win over Chicago, despite Demar DeRozan’s 41-point night. Nikola Vucevic also had a double-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists.
NBA Night Results and other European performances
Charlotte Hornets – Miami Heat 114-116
Detroit Pistons – Indiana Pacers 123-131 (Bojan Bogdanovic 17 p)
Orlando Magic – Cleveland Cavaliers 104-94
Philadelphia 76ers – Washington Wizards 146-101 (Avdija 9 p, 6 r, 3 a; Batum 4 p, 2 r)
Atlanta Hawks – Denver Nuggets 122-129
New York Knicks – Toronto Raptors 136-130
Houston Rockets – San Antonio Spurs 93-82 (Osman 10 p; Sochan 7 p, 6 r)
Memphis Grizzlies – Dallas Mavericks 113-120
Milwaukee Bucks – Chicago Bulls 133-129 OT
New Orleans Pelicans – Minnesota Timberwolves 121-107
Oklahoma City Thunder – Utah Jazz 134-120 (Fontecchio 19 p, 4 b; Samanic 14 p, 7 r; Micic 2 p, 5 a)
Sacramento Kings – Brooklyn Nets 131-118
Los Angeles Clippers – Portland Trail Blazers 132-127 (Zubac 18 p, 6 r)
2023-24 NBA Regular Season Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 16-5
2. Milwaukee Bucks 16-7
3. Orlando Magic 16-7
4. Philadelphia 76ers 15-7
5. Indiana Pacers 13-8
6. New York Knicks 13-9
7. Cleveland Cavaliers 13-10
8. Miami Heat 13-10
9. Brooklyn Nets 12-10
10. Atlanta Hawks 9-13
11. Toronto Raptors 9-14
12. Chicago Bulls 9-15
13. Charlotte Hornets 7-14
14. Washington Wizards 3-19
15. Detroit Pistons 2-21
Western Conference
1. Minnesota Timberwolves 17-5
2. Oklahoma City Thunder 15-7
3. Dallas Mavericks 14-8
4. Denver Nuggets 15-9
5. Sacramento Kings 13-8
6. Los Angeles Lakers 14-9
7. Houston Rockets 11-9
8. Los Angeles Clippers 12-10
9. Phoenix Suns 12-10
8. New Orleans Pelicans 13-11
11. Golden State Warriors 10-12
12. Utah Jazz 7-16
13. Memphis Grizzlies 6-16
13. Portland Trail Blazers 6-16
15. San Antonio Spurs 3-19
-Teams ranking first through sixth advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh through tenth compete in the Play-Ins
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images