Vit Krejci supports Bogdan Bogdanovic through shooting struggles: “I’m not worried”

2025-01-23T08:41:58+00:00 2025-01-23T08:43:22+00:00.

Giannis Askounis

23/Jan/25 08:41

Eurohoops.net
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Adam Hagy / Getty Images / Ideal Image

From highlights to disappointing displays, European standouts in the NBA cover all bases on Wednesday

By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net

The Detroit Pistons were in control en route to a 114-104 victory versus the Atlanta Hawks in State Farm Arena. Tucking in 4/8 field goals, including three triples over 16 minutes, Italian Simone Fontecchio chipped in 13 points alongside two rebounds and two assists. Swedish teammate Bobi Klintman was on a G League assignment.

Reduced to a reserve role over recent games in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season, Swiss Clint Capela posted a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double plus two blocks and one steal over 21 minutes on Wednesday. Lasting 22 minutes, Czech starter Vit Krejci tallied nine points to go with three assists and one rebound. Following 0/4 in his previous showing, Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic missed all of his nine shots from the field on the way to two points, three rebounds, one steal, and one assist over 19 minutes.

“When I was going through that shooting slump at the end of the season, me and Bogi worked out a lot together. He helped me gain that confidence. I know that he’s still going to shoot those shots, he’s still confident in his shots. I am 100% sure he is going to turn it around the same way that I was able to,” Krejci supported his teammate, “I’m not worried.”

“It’s great to have a guy like that on the team, that is experienced. He’s been through stuff like that and he knows how to keep his head cool. That was kind of what he was saying to me. I am sure he’s doing the same now,” he further explained.

Fellow European option for head coach Quin Snyder, French Zaccharie Risacher stayed on the injury list and is expected to sit out at least one more week nursing a left adductor strain.

SGA scores career-high 54 points

Finnish Lauri Markkanen recovered from low back spasms and returned to action with 17 points, six assists and one block, but the Utah Jazz lost, 123-114, to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Paycom Center. Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk finished with six points and one rebound. The hosts were fueled by a career-high 54 points delivered by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With German Isaiah Hartenstein (left soleus strain), Belgian Ajay Mitchell (right great toe surgery), and Serbian Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) out, European contribution was limited to French Ousmane Dieng and one rebound in nine minutes.

In American Airlines Center, the Minnesota Timberwolves held on to defeat the Dallas Mavericks, 115-114. French Rudy Gobert threw in 14 points, six rebounds, three blocks, and two assists. On the opposite end, without Slovenian Luka Doncic (left calf strain), Kyrie Irving settled at 36 points, while German Maxi Kleber produced ten points, two rebounds, one steal, and one assist.

The team coached by Spanish Jordi Fernandez, the Brooklyn Nets surrendered, 108-84, to the Phoenix Suns in Barclays Center. European action was limited to British Tosan Evbuomwan scoring six points with 2/15 from the field, besides recording three rebounds, two steals, and two assists.

Sabonis, Sengun get double-doubles

Making 8/12 from the field, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis posted a 26-point, 18-rebound double-double and dished out three assists for the Sacramento Kings in a comeback win, 123-117, over the Golden State Warriors in Golden 1 Center. Ukrainian Alex Len added one rebound and one assist. Coming off the bench for the visitors, German Dennis Schroder went for seven points alongside five assists and three rebounds, and Dutch Quinten Post put up five points, six rebounds, one block, and one assist.

Meanwhile, Alperen Sengun made two free throws with 4.5 seconds on the clock and Darius Garland missed two of three follow free throws as the Houston Rockets edged out the Cleveland Cavaliers, 109-108, in Toyota Center. The 22-year-old Turkish center, making 7/13 field goals, ended up with an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double plus four assists and one block in 29 minutes.

The Los Angeles Clippers ruled out Croatian Ivica Zubac due to a left eye corneal abrasion and French Nicolas Batum with right finger soreness on the way to an overtime loss, 117-113, opposite the Boston Celtics in Intuit Dome. On the winning end, Latvian Kristaps Porzingis sat out with an illness, while Portuguese Neemias Queta logged 50 fruitless seconds.

Early exit for Aldama

The Memphis Grizzlies overpowered the Charlotte Hornets, 132-120, with Spanish Santi Aldama leaving the game due to illness after logging two points, five rebounds, one block, one steal, and one assist in 18 minutes. The visiting side at FedExForum featured French Moussa Diabate for 15 minutes and Serbian Vasilije Micic for 18 minutes but French Tidjane Salaun was assigned to the G League affiliate. Diabate paired three points with two blocks and two rebounds, and Micic had two assists, two rebounds, and one steal.

Lastly, the game between the Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center was postponed due to extreme weather conditions in the New Orleans area. A new date will be announced by the league.

Wednesday results

Atlanta HawksDetroit Pistons 104-114
Brooklyn NetsPhoenix Suns 84-108
Dallas MavericksMinnesota Timberwolves 114-115
Houston RocketsCleveland Cavaliers 109-108
Memphis GrizzliesCharlotte Hornets 132-120
New Orleans PelicansMilwaukee Bucks PPD
Oklahoma City ThunderUtah Jazz 123-114
Sacramento KingsGolden State Warriors 123-117
Los Angeles ClippersBoston Celtics 113-117 OT (103-103)

Standings

Eastern Conference

1. Cleveland Cavaliers 36-7
2. Boston Celtics 31-13
3. New York Knicks 29-16
4. Milwaukee Bucks 24-17
5. Indiana Pacers 24-17
6. Detroit Pistons 23-21
7. Atlanta Hawks 22-21
8. Orlando Magic 23-22
9. Miami Heat 21-21
10. Chicago Bulls 19-25
11. Philadelphia 76ers 15-27
12. Brooklyn Nets 14-31
13. Charlotte Hornets 11-29
14. Toronto Raptors 11-32
15. Washington Wizards 6-36

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder 36-7
2. Houston Rockets 29-14
3. Memphis Grizzlies 29-15
4. Denver Nuggets 27-16
5. Los Angeles Lakers 23-18
6. Los Angeles Clippers 24-19
7. Sacramento Kings 23-20
8. Minnesota Timberwolves 23-21
9. Dallas Mavericks 23-21
10. Phoenix Suns 22-21
11. Golden State Warriors 21-22
12. San Antonio Spurs 19-22
13. Portland Trail Blazers 15-28
14. New Orleans Pelicans 12-32
15. Utah Jazz 10-32

-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins

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