By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Deni Avdija scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Charlotte Hornets 102 – 97 to capture their fourth consecutive victory.
Avdija drained 11 out of 13 free throws, including a pair for the 100 – 93 with 17 seconds remaining. He also had four assists and four steals during the 34 minutes he spent on the floor.
Anfernee Simmons led the Blazers overall with 27 points and five rebounds.
Vasilije Micic was a starter for the Hornets and dropped 12 points (1 out of 6 3-pointers) in 33 minutes.
Guerschon Yabusele provided the Philadelphia 76ers with 12 points and a career-high 13 rebounds in the win 132 – 129 win over Eastern Conference leaders Cleveland Cavaliers.
This was the first defeat for the Cavs after seven straight victories.
In the other game that took place Friday, the Memphis Grizzlies downed the New Orleans Pelicans 139 – 126 behind 29 points, seven assists and five rebounds by Jaren Jackson Jr.
NBA Standings
Eastern Conference:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 36-8
2. Boston Celtics 31-14
3. New York Knicks 29-16
4. Milwaukee Bucks 25-17
5. Indiana Pacers 24-20
6. Detroit Pistons 23-21
7. Orlando Magic 23-23
8. Atlanta Hawks 22-22
9. Miami Heat 21-22
10. Chicago Bulls 19-26
11. Philadelphia 76ers 16-27
12. Brooklyn Nets 14-31
13. Charlotte Hornets 11-30
14. Toronto Raptors 12-32
15. Washington Wizards 6-37
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 36-8
2. Houston Rockets 29-14
3. Memphis Grizzlies 30-15
4. Denver Nuggets 28-16
5. Los Angeles Lakers 24-18
6. Los Angeles Clippers 25-19
7. Dallas Mavericks 24-21
8. Sacramento Kings 23-21
9. Minnesota Timberwolves 23-21
10. Phoenix Suns 22-21
11. Golden State Warriors 22-22
12. San Antonio Spurs 20-22
13. Portland Trail Blazers 17-28
14. New Orleans Pelicans 12-33
15. Utah Jazz 10-32