By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Scoring over 30 points in an eighth straight game, Luka Doncic covered for injured teammate Kyrie Irving. Tim Hardaway Jr. tallied a season-high 32 points and Dante Exum with 26 points added to the narrow win, 127-125, versus the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
The Slovenian sensation posted a 33-point, 17-assist double-double plus six rebounds and one steal in his latest solid showing in the NBA Regular Season. He lasted 43 minutes in the bottom end of a back-to-back to seal the deal after his side mishandled a 15-point lead. Overcoming adversity and the visitors coming off winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament, the Mavs improved to 15-8 in the 2023-24 campaign. Sidelined for over one month, German Maxi Kleber (right small toe) has yet to be cleared for action.
In the United Center, Nikola Jokic was ejected in the second quarter and Jamal Murray was ruled out due to injury. Still, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Chicago Bulls, 114-106. The Serbian superstar exited with four points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Slovenian Vlatko Cancar (left knee) remained sidelined. For the hosts, Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic went for 26 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks, while Turkish Onuralp Bitim was on assignment with the G League affiliate.
Remaining perfect in TD Garden, the Boston Celtics overpowered the Cleveland Cavaliers, 120-113. Latvian Kristaps Porzingis chipped in 21 points, ten rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal. Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and Portuguese Neemias Queta stayed on the bench. On the opposite end, Spanish Ricky Rubio has been away from the team throughout the season.
More action and European showings
Phoenix Suns – Golden State Warriors 119-116 (Jusuf Nurkic 17pts, 13reb, 7ast, 1stl – Dario Saric 15pts, 4reb, 1ast, Usman Garuba INA)
Los Angeles Clippers – Sacramento Kings 119-99 (Daniel Theis 8pts, 3reb, 1stl, Ivica Zubac 6pts, 9reb, Moussa Diabate INJ – Domantas Sabonis 15pts, 10reb, 3ast, 2stl, Sasha Vezenkov 9pts, 3reb, 3ast, 1stl, Alex Len INJ)
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 17-5
2. Orlando Magic 16-7
3. Milwaukee Bucks 16-7
4. Philadelphia 76ers 15-7
5. Indiana Pacers 13-8
6. New York Knicks 13-9
7. Miami Heat 13-10
8. Brooklyn Nets 12-10
9. Cleveland Cavaliers 13-11
10. Atlanta Hawks 9-13
11. Toronto Raptors 9-14
12. Chicago Bulls 9-16
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 15-8
4. Denver Nuggets 16-9
5. Sacramento Kings 13-9
6. Los Angeles Lakers 14-10
7. Los Angeles Clippers 13-10
8. Phoenix Suns 13-10
9. Houston Rockets 11-9
10. New Orleans Pelicans 13-11
11. Golden State Warriors 10-13
12. Utah Jazz 7-16
13. Memphis Grizzlies 6-16
14. 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