By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In blowout fashion, a fifth straight win for the Dallas Mavericks in the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season. The Mavs ended up with a 132-96 victory versus the Sacramento Kings in Golden 1 Center on Tuesday.
Luka Doncic chipped in 28 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and two steals as his side entered the top six spots of the Western Conference, leading to a direct ticket to the Playoffs. In a game-high scoring display, the Slovenian superstar made 10/18 from the field, including 4/8 three-pointers over 32 minutes. German Maxi Kleber registered one steal in 11 minutes.
Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis tied Jerry Lucas for the longest double-double streak in Kings history. His 12 points and 11 rebounds marked a 55th consecutive double-double. Nine assists and two blocks were recorded as well. Lasting 11 minutes. Ukrainian teammate Alex Len finished with five points, three rebounds, one assist, and one block. Bulgarian Sasha Vezenkov (right ankle sprain) remained sidelined.
In double-overtime action, the Los Angeles Lakers outlasted the Milwaukee Bucks, 128-124, in Fiserv Forum. A triple-double of 29 points, 21 rebounds, and 11 assists by Giannis Antetokounmpo fell shy of a win for the hosts. The Greek Freak added three blocks and two steals over 46 minutes. His brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Italian Danilo Gallinari stayed on the bench.
Rallying in Smoothie King Center, the Oklahoma City Thunder bested the New Orleans Pelicans, 119-112. Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas tallied six points, six rebounds, and one assist in a losing effort. On the opposite end, French Olivier Sarr did not get playing time and fellow French Ousmane Dieng was on a G League assignment with the Oklahoma City Blue.
Starting for the Miami Heat, Serbian Nikola Jovic produced 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists in a loss, 113-92, to the Golden State Warriors in Kaseya Center. For the visitors, Croatian Dario Saric did not play and Spanish Usman Garuba was inactive.
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. q-Boston Celtics 57-15
2. Milwaukee Bucks 46-26
3. Cleveland Cavaliers 44-28
4. New York Knicks 43-28
5. Orlando Magic 42-29
6. Indiana Pacers 41-32
7. Miami Heat 39-33
8. Philadelphia 76ers 39-33
9. Chicago Bulls 34-38
10. Atlanta Hawks 32-39
11. Brooklyn Nets 27-45
12. Toronto Raptors 23-49
13. e-Charlotte Hornets 17-54
14. e-Washington Wizards 14-58
15. e-Detroit Pistons 12-60
Western Conference
1. Denver Nuggets 51-21
2. Oklahoma City Thunder 50-20
3. Minnesota Timberwolves 49-22
4. Los Angeles Clippers 44-27
5. New Orleans Pelicans 44-28
6. Dallas Mavericks 43-29
7. Sacramento Kings 42-30
8. Phoenix Suns 42-30
9. Los Angeles Lakers 40-32
10. Golden State Warriors 37-34
11. Houston Rockets 36-35
12. Utah Jazz 29-43
13. e-Memphis Grizzlies 24-48
14. e-Portland Trail Blazers 19-53
15. e-San Antonio Spurs 16-56
q-qualified for Playoffs
e-eliminated from Playoffs
-Teams ranking first through sixth advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh through tenth compete in the Play-Ins