By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In his 61st appearance off the bench for the Detroit Pistons in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season, Simone Fontecchio erupted for a season-high 23 points.
Lasting 21 minutes on Monday, the Italian forward tucked in 9/10 field goals, including 5/5 three-pointers, helping his side in a lopsided win, 127-81, against the New Orleans Pelicans in Smoothie King Center.
Complementing an efficient performance, Fontecchio added seven rebounds, and one steal. Another European reserve for head coach J. B. Bickerstaff, German Dennis Schroder recorded 12 points, five assists, and one steal in just under 19 minutes. In contrast, Swedish Bobi Klintman was on a G League assignment with the Motor City Cruise. Coming off the bench for the Pelicans, Croatian Karlo Matkovic tallied seven points, seven rebounds, and two assists over 20 minutes.
With the New York Knicks topping the Miami Heat, 116-95, in Madison Square Garden, British O.G. Anunoby settled at nine points, two blocks, two assists, one rebound, and one steal. French Pacome Dadiet logged three fruitless minutes and German Ariel Hukporti (left knee surgery) remained sidelined. The visitors featured Swedish Pelle Larsson combining four points with three rebounds, but Serbian Nikola Jovic (right hand fracture) is stuck to the injury list.
In Toyota Center, the Houston Rockets rallied from a 25-point deficit and prevailed, 144-137, over the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime. Turkish Alperen Sengun chipped in 13 points, including a bucket to force five extra minutes, plus 11 rebounds and five assists. For the Sixers, French Guerschon Yabusele (right knee soreness) joined Turkish Adem Bona (left ankle sprain) on a long list of unavailable players.
Overtime in Target Center as well with the Indiana Pacers outlasting the Minnesota Timberwolves, 132-130. Following a heated altercation versus Andrew Nembhard in the third quarter, French Rudy Gobert was ejected with three points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and one assist to his name. Bosnian teammate Luka Garza did not play and Dutch Jesse Edwards remained with the affiliate Iowa Wolves.
Rudy Gobert was ejected from the game after receiving a flagrant 2 on this play !
Andrew Nembhard was also ejected after picking up a second tech. pic.twitter.com/xR2OUsK9Y4
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) March 18, 2025
Despite missing Belgian Toumani Camara (right calf soreness), the Portland Trail Blazers overpowered the Washington Wizards, 112-97, in Moda Center. Israeli Deni Avdija contributed 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while French youngsters Rayan Rupert and Sidy Cissoko remained on G League assignments.
On the losing end, French Alex Sarr went for 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal. Also, Serbian Tristan Vukcevic tallied 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal. French Bilal Coulibaly (right hamstring strain) stayed on the injury list.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns routed the Toronto Raptors, 129-89, in PHX Arena. In a rare showing, Serbian Vasilije Micic grabbed two rebounds. Austrian Jakob Poeltl (rest) was out for the team coached by Serbian Darko Rajakovic.
Monday results
New York Knicks – Miami Heat 116-95
Houston Rockets – Philadelphia 76ers 144-137 OT (131-131)
Minnesota Timberwolves – Indiana Pacers 130-132 OT (117-117)
New Orleans Pelicans – Detroit Pistons 81-127
Utah Jazz – Chicago Bulls 97-111
Golden State Warriors – Denver Nuggets 105-114
Phoenix Suns – Toronto Raptors 129-89
Sacramento Kings – Memphis Grizzlies 132-122
Portland Trail Blazers – Washington Wizards 112-97
Los Angeles Lakers – San Antonio Spurs 125-109
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. p-Cleveland Cavaliers 56-11
2. p-Boston Celtics 49-19
3. New York Knicks 43-24
4. Milwaukee Bucks 38-29
5. Indiana Pacers 38-29
6. Detroit Pistons 38-31
7. Atlanta Hawks 32-36
8. Orlando Magic 32-37
9. Chicago Bulls 29-39
10. Miami Heat 29-39
11. Toronto Raptors 24-45
12. Brooklyn Nets 23-45
13. Philadelphia 76ers 23-45
14. Charlotte Hornets 17-50
15. Washington Wizards 15-52
Western Conference
1. p-Oklahoma City Thunder 56-12
2. Houston Rockets 44-25
3. Denver Nuggets 44-25
4. Los Angeles Lakers 42-25
5. Memphis Grizzlies 43-26
6. Golden State Warriors 39-29
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 40-30
8. Los Angeles Clippers 38-30
9. Sacramento Kings 34-33
10. Dallas Mavericks 33-36
11. Phoenix Suns 32-37
12. Portland Trail Blazers 30-39
13. San Antonio Spurs 28-39
14. e-New Orleans Pelicans 18-51
15. e-Utah Jazz 15-54
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins
p-clinched a playoff berth
e-eliminated