By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following a loss in Ball Arena on Monday, the Phoenix Suns bounced back with a 110-100 victory versus the Denver Nuggets to wrap up the NBA Christmas Games schedule on Wednesday.
Serbian Nikola Jokic posting a 25-point, 15-rebound double-double alongside two steals and two assists was not enough for the visitors in Footprint Center. Lasting nearly 38 minutes, he made 10/19 field goals. On the winning side of the Christmas clash, Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic piled up eight points, 13 rebounds, and six assists in just under 30 minutes, besides Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal sharing a game-high 27 points.
In TD Garden, Latvian Kristaps Porzingis did not return in the second half due to left ankle soreness and the Boston Celtics lost, 118-114, to the Philadelphia 76ers. Over 13 minutes, the Latvian forward/center recorded nine points, three assists, and two rebounds. Playing nearly eight minutes after the break, Portuguese Neemias Queta paired two points with five rebounds. Lasting 21 minutes for the Sixers, French Guerschon Yabusele tallied 12 points alongside four rebounds, one steal, and one assist.
LeBron beats Steph
The 19th Christmas Day appearance for LeBron James extended to a 115-113 victory for the Los Angeles Lakers over the Golden State Warriors. Despite Anthony Davis’s early exit due to a sprained left ankle, the visitors prevailed at Chase Center. LeBron chipped in a team-high 31 points. Austin Reaves tallied a triple-double, including a go-ahead lay-up in the dying seconds of the tight contest.
Stephen Curry ended up with a game-high 38 points for the hosts after knocking in his eighth three-pointer with 12 seconds on the clock. Also starting for the team coached by Steve Kerr, German Dennis Schroder dropped 11 points, five assists, two rebounds, and one steal.
Doncic is set for an MRI
Earlier, Luka Doncic suffered a left calf strain as the Dallas Mavericks fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 105-99, in American Airlines Center. The Slovenian guard will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. German teammate Maxi Kleber went for five points, two rebounds, and one assist. On the winning end, French starting center Rudy Gobert posted a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Opening the Christmas schedule, the New York Knicks edged out the San Antonio Spurs, 117-114, overcoming a 42-point effort by French Victor Wembanyama and a 21-point display by Polish Jeremy Sochan in the Madison Square Garden. For the hosts, British O.G. Anunoby finished with eight points.
NBA Christmas Games
New York Knicks – San Antonio Spurs 117-114
Dallas Mavericks – Minnesota Timberwolves 99-105
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 114-118
Golden State Warriors – Los Angeles Lakers 113-115
Phoenix Suns – Denver Nuggets 110-100
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 26-4
2. Boston Celtics 22-8
3. New York Knicks 20-10
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. Philadelphia 76ers 11-17
12. Brooklyn Nets 11-18
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 19-11
5. Denver Nuggets 16-12
6. Los Angeles Clippers 17-13
7. Los Angeles Lakers 17-13
8. Minnesota Timberwolves 15-14
9. Golden State Warriors 15-14
10. Phoenix Suns 15-14
11. San Antonio Spurs 15-15
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