By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
German Tristan da Silva hit a clutch three-pointer with 9.9 seconds on the lock, sealing a comeback win, 108-104, for the Orlando Magic versus the Boston Celtics in Kia Center.
Missing several players, including German brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner, the Magic improved to 19-12 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season on Monday. The German rookie finished with 18 points behind 6/11 field goals alongside three rebounds and one steal. Fellow starter, Georgian Goga Bitadze piled up eight points, nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals until being ejected in the fourth quarter following an altercation with Latvian Kristaps Porzingis.
Squandering a 15-point advantage in Orlando, the C’s fell to 22-7. Porzingis had 17 points plus four rebounds and two blocks. Portuguese teammate Neemias Queta stayed on the bench.
Dealing with right calf soreness, Ivica Zubac posted a 20-point, 19-rebound double-double for the Los Angeles Clippers in a win, 114-110, against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Croatian center also threw in four steals, one block, and one assist in just under 40 minutes. French Nicolas Batum added six points, five rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block.
On the wrong end of the battle in FedExForum, Spanish Santi Aldama tallied 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals.
Complementing a 41-point effort by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Belgian Ajay Mitchell posted a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double off the bench and German starter Isaiah Hartenstein produced a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a win, 123-105, over the Washington Wizards in Paycom Center.
With 13 points off the bench, Italian Simone Fontecchio helped the Detroit Pistons overcome a triple-double by LeBron James and secure a win, 117-114, versus the Los Angeles Lakers in Crypto.com Arena.
In Kaseya Center, Serbian Nikola Jovic chipped in 18 points for the Miami Heat to defeat the Brooklyn Nets, 110-95.
Monday games
Charlotte Hornets – Houston Rockets 101-114
Cleveland Cavaliers – Utah Jazz 124-113
Orlando Magic – Boston Celtics 108-104
Philadelphia 76ers – San Antonio Spurs 111-106
Atlanta Hawks – Minnesota Timberwolves 117-104
Miami Heat – Brooklyn Nets 110-95
New York Knicks – Toronto Raptors 139-125
Chicago Bulls – Milwaukee Bucks 91-112
Memphis Grizzlies – Los Angeles Clippers 110-114
Oklahoma City Thunder – Washington Wizards 123-105
Dallas Mavericks – Portland Trail Blazers 132-108
Denver Nuggets – Phoenix Suns 117-90
Golden State Warriors – Indiana Pacers 105-111
Los Angeles Lakers – Detroit Pistons 114-117
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 26-4
2. Boston Celtics 22-7
3. New York Knicks 19-10
4. Orlando Magic 19-12
5. Milwaukee Bucks 16-12
6. Miami Heat 14-13
7. Indiana Pacers 15-15
8. Atlanta Hawks 15-15
9. Detroit Pistons 13-17
10. Chicago Bulls 13-17
11. Brooklyn Nets 11-18
12. Philadelphia 76ers 10-17
13. Charlotte Hornets 7-22
14. Toronto Raptors 7-23
15. Washington Wizards 4-23
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 23-5
2. Houston Rockets 20-9
3. Memphis Grizzlies 20-10
4. Dallas Mavericks 19-10
5. Denver Nuggets 16-11
6. Los Angeles Clippers 17-13
7. Los Angeles Lakers 16-13
8. Golden State Warriors 15-13
9. San Antonio Spurs 15-14
10. Minnesota Timberwolves 14-14
11. Phoenix Suns 14-14
12. Sacramento Kings 13-17
13. Portland Trail Blazers 9-20
14. Utah Jazz 7-21
15. New Orleans Pelicans 5-25
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins