By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Among the main contributors for the Atlanta Hawks, Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic put in 18 points behind 7/15 field, including four triples, in the comfortable win, 138-122, against the Los Angeles Lakers in State Farm Arena on Tuesday. The 31-year-old guard added one assist and one rebound over 25 minutes. Starting center from Switzerland, Clint Capela posted a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double plus one assist, one steal, and one block. Czech Vit Krejci (left shoulder subluxation) stayed on the injury list.
Returning to action after missing two games of the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season with a sprained left ankle, Latvian big Kristaps Porzingis drew up a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double alongside two assists and one block as the Boston Celtics edged out the Indiana Pacers, 129-124, in TD Garden. He lasted 31 minutes. Portuguese Neemias Queta chipped in four points, two blocks, one assist, and one rebound recording 24 minutes off the bench. Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk did not enter the court.
An eighth straight win for the New York Knicks by taking down the Utah Jazz, 118-103, in the Madison Square Garden. German Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 14 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, two assists, and one block over 29 minutes. French Evan Fournier (personal) and O.G. Anunoby (right elbow) were sidelined. For the visitors, Finnish Lauri Markkanen and Italian Simone Fontecchio ended up with 14 points and five rebounds apiece. Croatian Luka Samanic and Turkish Omer Yurtseven did not play.
Another German double-double through Dennis Schroder pushed the Toronto Raptors to the win, 118-107, versus the Chicago Bulls in the United Center. Besides combining 16 points with ten assists, the 2023 FIBA World Cup MVP tallied three rebounds, two steals, and one block. Austrian Jakob Poeltl (left ankle sprain) was among the missing players for Serbian play-caller Darko Rajakovic. On the opposite end, Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic had 14 points. Turkish Onuralp Bitim was on the bench.
In Chase Center, the Golden State Warriors overpowered the Philadelphia 76ers, 119-107, with Stephen Curry dropping 37 points and Joel Embiid exiting due to a knee injury. Croatian Dario Saric finished with two points, seven assists, two rebounds, and one block, while Spanish Usman Garuba did not suit up. Making five three-pointers, Turkish Furkan Korkmaz went for 19 points, three assists, and two rebounds for the losing side. French Nicolas Batum (left hamstring tightness) sat out.
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 37-11
2. Milwaukee Bucks 32-15
3. New York Knicks 31-17
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 28-16
5. Philadelphia 76ers 29-17
6. Indiana Pacers 27-21
7. Miami Heat 24-23
8. Orlando Magic 24-23
9. Chicago Bulls 22-26
10. Atlanta Hawks 20-27
11. Brooklyn Nets 19-27
12. Toronto Raptors 17-30
13. Charlotte Hornets 10-35
14. Washington Wizards 9-37
15. Detroit Pistons 6-40
Western Conference
1. Minnesota Timberwolves 33-14
2. Denver Nuggets 33-15
3. Oklahoma City Thunder 32-15
4. Los Angeles Clippers 30-15
5. Sacramento Kings 27-18
6. Phoenix Suns 27-20
7. Dallas Mavericks 26-21
8. New Orleans Pelicans 26-21
9. Los Angeles Lakers 24-25
10. Utah Jazz 24-25
11. Houston Rockets 22-24
12. Golden State Warriors 20-24
13. Memphis Grizzlies 18-29
14. Portland Trail Blazers 14-33
15. San Antonio Spurs 10-37
-Teams ranking first through sixth advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh through tenth compete in the Play-Ins
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