By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic pushed the Denver Nuggets to the win, 114-109, against the Indiana Pacers in Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
The reigning NBA champions went up to 31-14 in the Regular Season virtually matching the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Posting his 13th triple-double of the 2023-24 season, the Serbian superstar went for 31 points, 13 rebounds, and ten assists plus one block over 37 minutes. He made 13/19 from the field, including three triples. Sidekick Jamal Murray shared the game-high 31 points in Indianapolis. Slovenian Vlatko Cancar (left knee surgery) remained sidelined.
Meanwhile, the Thunder edged out the Portland Trail Blazers, 111-109, in a controversial ending, including an ejection for the head coach of the visitors, Chauncey Billups. The losing side is filing a protest to challenge the result, according to ESPN. At the moment, the Thunder matched the Wolves at 30-13.
Serbian Vasilije Micic produced one point in seven minutes and Latvian Davis Bertans registered one block in three minutes. However, Serbian Aleksej Pokusevski did not play, French Olivier Sarr (right hip flexor strain) was sidelined, and French Ousmane Dieng was assigned to the Oklahoma City Blue.
More European participation stemmed from the Blazers with Belgian Toumani Camara recording five rebounds, two steals, and one assist over 14 minutes. French Rayan Rupert did not leave the bench.
New records for the Pelicans
In Smoothie King Center, the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Utah Jazz, 153-124. A new franchise record for points with Lithuanian big Jonas Valanciunas chipping in 17 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists. Another franchise record was dishing out 41 assists, including 11 by Zion Williamson.
For the visitors, Italian Simone Fontecchio tallied 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals, Finnish Lauri Markkanen packed 11 points, four rebounds, and one assist, and Croatian Luka Samanic did not get on the board over five minutes. Turkish Omer Yurtseven did not play.
More games and European showings
Brooklyn Nets – New York Knicks 103-108 (O.G. Anunoby 10pts, 5reb, 4ast, 2blk, 1ast, Evan Fournier DNP, Isaiah Hartenstein INJ)
Los Angeles Clippers – Los Angeles Lakers 127-116 (Daniel Theis 3pts, 2reb, 2ast, 1blk, Moussa Diabate INJ, Ivica Zubac INJ)
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 34-10
2. Milwaukee Bucks 30-13
3. Philadelphia 76ers 29-13
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 26-15
5. New York Knicks 27-17
6. Miami Heat 24-19
7. Indiana Pacers 24-20
8. Orlando Magic 23-21
9. Chicago Bulls 21-24
10. Atlanta Hawks 18-25
11. Brooklyn Nets 17-26
12. Toronto Raptors 16-28
13. Charlotte Hornets 10-31
14. Washington Wizards 7-35
15. Detroit Pistons 4-39
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 30-13
2. Minnesota Timberwolves 30-13
3. Denver Nuggets 31-14
4. Los Angeles Clippers 28-14
5. New Orleans Pelicans 26-18
6. Phoenix Suns 25-18
7. Sacramento Kings 24-18
8. Dallas Mavericks 24-19
9. Los Angeles Lakers 22-23
10. Utah Jazz 22-23
11. Houston Rockets 20-23
12. Golden State Warriors 18-22
13. Memphis Grizzlies 16-27
14. Portland Trail Blazers 12-31
15. San Antonio Spurs 8-35
-Teams ranking first through sixth advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh through tenth compete in the Play-Ins
Photo Credit: Getty Images