By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Dirk Nowitzki’s record-breaking 21st season debut with the Dallas Mavericks became official on Thursday, but ended up in a losing effort. The 40-year-old German forward only played six minutes, got two points and one board in the 99-89 away defeat to the Phoenix Suns. Luka Doncic notched 13 points and Maxi Kleber (left foot) returned to action with four for the Texans.
Nikola Vucevic led the Orlando Magic to their 97-91 win over the Chicago Bulls in NBA’s 27th game in Mexico. The Montenegrin forward/center scored 26 points including the winning shot 28 seconds to go and grabbed ten rebounds. Evan Fournier (personal) returned with 10 points, but Timofey Mozgov (right knee) remained out. Lauri Markkanen posted seven points with 2/10 from the field for the losing side.
James Harden put up the performance of the night with 50 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for the Houston Rockets that overpowered the Los Angeles Lakers, 126-111. Swiss Clint Capela helped out with a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double, also blocked two shots in 35 minutes. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and Isaac Bonga got some action on the visitors’ side.
The San Antonio Spurs easily beat the Los Angeles Clippers, 125-87. Marco Belinelli contributed with 14 points, Davis Bertans added five and Jakob Poeltl three, while Pau Gasol (left foot) remained on the sidelines. Danilo Gallinari had 15 points for the losing side, Marcin Gortat, Boban Marjanovic and Milos Teodosic also played.
Thurday’s NBA results, the European scorers of the four games and the standings:
| Houston Rockets | Los Angeles Lakers | 126-111 | Clint Capela 16pts, 14reb, 1ast, 1stl, 2blk – Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk 1reb, 1stl, Isaac Bonga 0pts |
| San Antonio Spurs | Los Angeles Clippers | 125-87 | Marco Belinelli 14pts, 5reb, 1ast, 1stl, Davis Bertans 5pts, 4reb, 2ast, 2blk, Jakob Poeltl 3pts, 6reb, 2ast, 4blk – Danilo Gallinari 15pts, 3reb, 4ast, 1stl, Marcin Gortat 2pts, 8reb, 5ast, Boban Marjanovic 2pts, 2ast, Milos Teodosic 2ast |
| Orlando Magic | Chicago Bulls | 97-91 | Nikola Vucevic 26pts, 10reb, 2ast, 2stl, 1blk, Evan Fournier 10pts, 3reb, 4ast – Lauri Markkanen 7pts, 5reb, 1stl, 1blk |
| Phoenix Suns | Dallas Mavericks | 99-89 | Luka Doncic 13pts, 5reb, 6ast, 2stl, Maxi Kleber 4pts, 2reb, 1stl, Dirk Nowitzki 2pts, 1reb |
Eastern Conference
1. Toronto Raptors 23-7
2. Milwaukee Bucks 18-9
3. Philadelphia 76ers 19-10
4. Indiana Pacers 18-10
5. Boston Celtics 17-10
6. Charlotte Hornets 14-13
7. Detroit Pistons 13-13
8. Orlando Magic 13-15
9. Miami Heat 11-16
10. Washington Wizards 11-17
11. Brooklyn Nets 11-18
12. New York Knicks 8-21
13. Cleveland Cavaliers 7-21
14. Atlanta Hawks 6-21
15. Chicago Bulls 6-23
Western Conference
1. Denver Nuggets 18-9
2. Golden State Warriors 19-10
3. Oklahoma City Thunder 17-9
4. Los Angeles Clippers 17-11
5. Los Angeles Lakers 17-11
6. Memphis Grizzlies 16-11
7. Dallas Mavericks 15-11
8. Sacramento Kings 15-12
9. Portland Trail Blazers 15-13
10. San Antonio Spurs 15-14
11. New Orleans Pelicans 15-15
12. Utah Jazz 14-15
13. Houston Rockets 13-14
14. Minnesota Timberwolves 13-15
15. Phoenix Suns 4-24
Photo Credit: Getty Images