By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
It’s not news anymore: Nikola Jokic dragged once again the Denver Nuggets once with an outstanding performance, getting MVP chants from the crowd in Washington late in the game, and beating the Wizards 113-104 to climb up the Western Conference.
The Serbian back-to-back NBA MVP had a season-high of 42 points, while also grabbing 12 rebounds and adding 8 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. He shot 15/20 from the field and 12/14 at the charity stripe.
In the post-game press conference, the Denver Nuggets head coach praised his player. “Nikola was phenomenal tonight from beginning to end. He continues to illustrate why he’s the player that he is”, Mike Malone commented.
Talking about MVP chants, Mike Malone is impressed. “That’s unique. It doesn’t happen very often, so I think it’s just recognizing greatness. Here’s a guy who was a two-time MVP as a second-round draft pick that brought a franchise its first world championship in history, and he’s a Finals MVP as well”, he added.
On the losing end, Deni Avdija had 4 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists; coming off the bench, the French rookie had 9 points and 3 rebounds for the Washington Wizards.
NBA Results and other European performances
Los Angeles Clippers – Brooklyn Nets 125-114 (Theis 8 p, 3 r)
Orlando Magic – Miami Heat 105-87 (Jovic 2 p, 3 r; Franz Wagner 19 p, 5 a; Mo Wagner 8 p, 4 r)
Washington Wizards – Denver Nuggets 104-113
Houston Rockets – Boston Celtics 107-116 (Sengun 24 p, 12 r, 10 a; Porzingis 32 p, 6 r)
Phoenix Suns – Indiana Pacers 117-110 (Nurkic 4 p, 13 r, 4 a)
Los Angeles Lakers – Portland Trail Blazers 134-110 (Rupert 6 p)
Standings (via NBA.com)
Eastern Conference
| TEAM | W | L | WIN% | GB | CONF | DIV | HOME | ROAD | OT | LAST10 | STREAK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1
|
33 | 10 | .767 | — | 23-6 | 11-1 | 20-1 | 13-9 | 2-3 | 7-3 | W 1 |
| 2
|
29 | 13 | .690 | 3.5 | 22-11 | 7-6 | 19-4 | 10-9 | 2-1 | 5-5 | W 1 |
| 3
|
28 | 13 | .683 | 4 | 19-10 | 5-3 | 16-6 | 12-7 | 0-2 | 6-4 | W 5 |
| 4
|
25 | 15 | .625 | 6.5 | 17-9 | 5-3 | 15-8 | 10-7 | 2-0 | 8-2 | W 7 |
| 5
|
26 | 17 | .605 | 7 | 18-10 | 5-3 | 14-5 | 12-12 | 0-0 | 8-2 | W 3 |
| 6
|
24 | 19 | .558 | 9 | 18-13 | 9-2 | 12-8 | 12-11 | 1-0 | 5-5 | L 3 |
| 7
|
24 | 19 | .558 | 9 | 20-11 | 9-2 | 13-8 | 11-11 | 0-0 | 5-5 | L 2 |
| 8
|
23 | 20 | .535 | 10 | 17-12 | 6-4 | 14-6 | 9-14 | 1-1 | 4-6 | W 1 |
| 9
|
21 | 23 | .477 | 12.5 | 13-16 | 3-6 | 14-10 | 7-13 | 4-2 | 6-4 | W 2 |
| 10
|
18 | 24 | .429 | 14.5 | 12-20 | 6-5 | 8-12 | 10-12 | 2-1 | 5-5 | L 1 |
| 11
|
17 | 25 | .405 | 15.5 | 13-13 | 1-4 | 10-10 | 7-15 | 0-3 | 2-8 | L 1 |
| 12
|
16 | 27 | .372 | 17 | 10-20 | 0-11 | 10-11 | 6-16 | 1-1 | 3-7 | L 2 |
| 13
|
9 | 31 | .225 | 22.5 | 7-19 | 3-6 | 5-14 | 4-17 | 1-1 | 2-8 | L 1 |
| 14
|
7 | 35 | .167 | 25.5 | 5-27 | 2-9 | 3-16 | 4-19 | 0-0 | 1-9 | L 4 |
| 15
|
4 | 38 | .095 | 28.5 | 4-21 | 1-8 | 2-19 | 2-19 | 0-2 | 1-9 | L 2 |
Western Conference
| TEAM | W | L | WIN% | GB | CONF | DIV | HOME | ROAD | OT | LAST10 | STREAK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1
|
30 | 12 | .714 | — | 21-7 | 5-2 | 17-3 | 13-9 | 1-1 | 6-4 | L 1 |
| 2
|
29 | 13 | .690 | 1 | 17-10 | 8-2 | 16-5 | 13-8 | 2-0 | 6-4 | W 2 |
| 3
|
30 | 14 | .682 | 1 | 17-10 | 2-4 | 17-4 | 13-10 | 0-0 | 7-3 | W 2 |
| 4
|
27 | 14 | .659 | 2.5 | 20-11 | 6-3 | 18-4 | 9-10 | 0-1 | 8-2 | W 2 |
| 5
|
25 | 18 | .581 | 5.5 | 17-16 | 5-6 | 13-9 | 12-9 | 0-1 | 6-4 | L 1 |
| 6
|
24 | 18 | .571 | 6 | 18-15 | 7-5 | 13-9 | 11-9 | 0-0 | 6-4 | L 1 |
| 7
|
24 | 18 | .571 | 6 | 16-14 | 5-7 | 13-11 | 11-7 | 2-0 | 7-3 | W 5 |
| 8
|
23 | 18 | .561 | 6.5 | 15-13 | 5-5 | 13-8 | 10-10 | 3-1 | 4-6 | L 4 |
| 9
|
22 | 22 | .500 | 9 | 17-14 | 5-3 | 16-8 | 6-14 | 1-1 | 5-5 | W 1 |
| 10
|
22 | 22 | .500 | 9 | 12-17 | 4-6 | 15-6 | 7-16 | 2-2 | 7-3 | L 2 |
| 11
|
20 | 22 | .476 | 10 | 15-10 | 7-2 | 16-7 | 4-15 | 1-3 | 3-7 | L 1 |
| 12
|
18 | 22 | .450 | 11 | 11-17 | 3-6 | 11-11 | 7-11 | 1-2 | 3-7 | L 2 |
| 13
|
15 | 27 | .357 | 15 | 12-21 | 6-6 | 4-15 | 11-12 | 1-1 | 5-5 | L 2 |
| 14
|
12 | 30 | .286 | 18 | 5-24 | 1-6 | 7-12 | 5-18 | 2-2 | 3-7 | L 1 |
| 15
|
8 | 34 | .190 | 22 | 5-19 | 1-7 | 3-16 | 5-18 | 1-1 | 3-7 | W 1 |
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images