By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Dealing with right ankle soreness after missing the top end of demanding back-to-back, Dennis Schroder bounced back powering the Brooklyn Nets to a win, 128-120, over the Golden State Warriors in Chase Center.
Returning to action on Monday, the German floor general put in 17 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter. Making 10/18 field goals, including four three-pointers, created a game-high, also his second-best scoring showing of the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season.
Schroder, 31, tallied seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals, besides 31 points.
In Spectrum Center, German Franz Wagner put in 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Orlando Magic to a win, 95-84, against the Charlotte Hornets. He also dished out seven assists. His brother, Moritz Wagner threw in 16 points and eight rebounds. Staying in the starting lineup, German Tristan da Silva and Georgian Goga Bitadze ended up with nine and six points, respectively.
Starting for the team coached by Charles Lee, French Tidjane Salaun was held to one point and 0/3 field goals, besides grabbing seven rebounds. French reserve, Moussa Diabate logged two points, eight rebounds, four blocks, and two steals. Serbian Vasilije Micic did not play.
With Ja Morant in the lineup of the Memphis Grizzlies, Spanish Santi Aldama produced a 13-point, 17-rebound double-double off the bench in a lopsided win, 123-98, versus the Portland Trail Blazers in FedExForum. After missing eight games, Morant posted a 22-point, 11-assist double-double.
For the visitors, Israeli Deni Avdija scored a team-high 17 points to go with eight rebounds, six assists, one block, and one steal. Belgian Toumani Camara registered ten points and eight rebounds. French Rayan Rupert finished with nine points.
Without Slovenian Luka Doncic (right wrist sprain), the Dallas Mavericks outlasted the Atlanta Hawks, 129-119, in State Farm Arena. Kyrie Irving paved the way with 32 points. German Maxi Kleber chipped in seven points, seven rebounds, one block, one assist, and one steal.
For the Hawks, Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic finished with 18 points behind 8/15 field goals, three rebounds, one steal, and one assist. Swiss Clint Capela and French Zaccharie Risacher had 12 and five points, respectively.
Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis posted a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double but the Sacramento Kings fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 130-109, in Golden 1 Center. Pairing 19 points with 10 rebounds, German Isaiah Hartenstein was among the top performers for the visitors. Belgian Ajay Mitchell added 13 points.
Monday games
Charlotte Hornets – Orlando Magic 84-95
Detroit Pistons – Toronto Raptors 102-100
Indiana Pacers – New Orleans Pelicans 114-110
Atlanta Hawks – Dallas Mavericks 119-129
Boston Celtics – Los Angeles Clippers 126-94
Memphis Grizzlies – Portland Trail Blazers 123-98
Denver Nuggets – New York Knicks 118-145
Golden State Warriors – Brooklyn Nets 120-128
Sacramento Kings – Oklahoma City Thunder 109-130
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 17-1
2. Boston Celtics 15-3
3. Orlando Magic 12-7
4. New York Knicks 10-7
5. Miami Heat 7-7
6. Milwaukee Bucks 8-9
7. Brooklyn Nets 8-10
8. Indiana Pacers 8-10
9. Detroit Pistons 8-11
10. Atlanta Hawks 7-11
11. Chicago Bulls 7-11
12. Charlotte Hornets 6-11
13. Toronto Raptors 4-14
14. Philadelphia 76ers 3-13
15. Washington Wizards 2-13
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 13-4
2. Golden State Warriors 12-5
3. Houston Rockets 12-6
4. Los Angeles Lakers 10-6
5. Memphis Grizzlies 11-7
6. Los Angeles Clippers 11-8
7. Denver Nuggets 9-7
8. Phoenix Suns 9-7
9. Dallas Mavericks 10-8
10. San Antonio Spurs 9-8
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 8-8
12. Sacramento Kings 8-10
13. Portland Trail Blazers 7-11
14. Utah Jazz 4-12
15. New Orleans Pelicans 4-14
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins