By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Kemba Walker’s effectiveness down the stretch led the Charlotte Hornets to their 119-113 away victory over the Phoenix Suns. However, Tony Parker with 20 points in 27 minutes and Willy Hernangomez with 19 more points off the bench were surely helpful. Nicolas Batum added eight points as a starter. Elie Okobo had four points for the home team, but Dragan Bender didn’t leave the bench.
The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Orlando Magic, 106-96. Danilo Gallinari had 13 points and Marcin Gortat eight for the home team, but Boban Marjanovic didn’t get any action and Milos Teodosic (knee) was inactive. Nikola Vucevic scored 16 points and grabbed a season-high 24 rebounds, Evan Fournier added 12 points and Timofey Mozgov (right knee) remained on the injury list following his arthroscopic procedure.
Meanwhile, Serge Ibaka put up 18 points and OG Anunoby had five for the Toronto Raptors that beat the Indiana Pacers, 121-105. Jonas Valanciunas (left hand) remained out, but the Canadian team snapped the visitors’ six-game winning streak. Bojan Bogdanovic’s team-high 21 points neither Domantas Sabonis 16-point, 11-rebound double-double were enough for the Pacers.
The Minnesota Timberwolves had an eventful night, which started off with a 108-86 home win against the Los Angeles Lakers. Dario Saric put up six points, while Luol Deng remained on the bench. Ivica Zubac had nine points, Moritz Wagner eight and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk four for the losing side, Isaac Bonga also got some action.
Tomas Satoransky poured 15 points and Ian Mahinmi added nine for the Washington Wizards that overpowered the Oklahoma City Thunder, 116-98, on the road. Dennis Schroder wasn’t at his best but managed to notch nine points, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot played but didn’t get on the board and Alex Abrines (personal) remained out.
Lauri Markkanen scored 14 points, but the Brooklyn Nets grabbed an 117-100 away win over the Chicago Bulls, their third straight NBA 2018-19 Regular Season “W”. Rodions Kurucs maintained his starting position and posted six points, while Dzanan Musa (left shoulder) remained on the sidelines.
Also, the Atlanta Hawks overcame the Miami Heat, 106-82. Alex Len helped out with four points and seven rebounds. Tyler Dorsey also played but failed to score. Heat’s Goran Dragic remained on the injury list.
Sunday’s results, the European scorers and the standings:
| Chicago Bulls | Brooklyn Nets | 100-117 | Lauri Markkanen 14pts, 6reb, 1stl, 1blk – Rodions Kurucs 6pts, 5reb, 1ast, 1stl |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Los Angeles Lakers | 108-86 | Dario Saric 6pts, 1reb, 2ast – Ivica Zubac 9pts, 8reb, Moritz Wagner 8pts, 5reb, 1blk, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk 4pts, 2ast, Isaac Bonga 1ast |
| Los Angeles Clippers | Orlando Magic | 106-96 | Danilo Gallinari 13pts, 5reb, 2ast, Marcin Gortat 8pts, 10reb, 6ast, 1blk – Nikola Vucevic 16pts, 24reb, 8ast, 2blk, Evan Fournier 12pts, 3reb, 2ast |
| Atlanta Hawks | Miami Heat | 106-82 | Alex Len 4pts, 7reb, 1stl, Tyler Dorsey 2ast, 1stl |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Washington Wizards | 98-116 | Dennis Schroder 9pts, 1reb, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot 0pts – Tomas Satoransky 15pts, 2reb, 2ast, Ian Mahinmi 9pts, 10reb, 1ast, 2stl, 2blk |
| Toronto Raptors | Indiana Pacers | 121-105 | Serge Ibaka 18pts, 6reb, 2blk, OG Anunoby 5pts, 5reb, 1ast, 1stl, 1blk – Bojan Bogdanovic 21pts, 9reb, 3ast, 2stl, Domantas Sabonis 16pts, 11reb, 6ast |
| Phoenix Suns | Charlotte Hornets | 113-119 | Elie Okobo 4pts, 1stl – Tony Parker 20pts, 1reb, 6ast, Willy Hernangomez 19pts, 9reb, 4ast, 1stl, Nicolas Batum 8pts, 4reb, 4ast, 3stl |
Eastern Conference
1. Toronto Raptors 30-12
2. Milwaukee Bucks 27-11
3. Indiana Pacers 26-13
4. Philadelphia 76ers 26-14
5. Boston Celtics 23-15
6. Miami Heat 19-19
7. Brooklyn Nets 20-21
8. Charlotte Hornets 19-20
9. Detroit Pistons 17-20
10. Orlando Magic 17-22
11. Washington Wizards 16-24
12. Atlanta Hawks 12-27
13. New York Knicks 10-29
14. Chicago Bulls 10-30
15. Cleveland Cavaliers 8-32
Western Conference
1. Denver Nuggets 26-11
2. Golden State Warriors 26-14
3. Oklahoma City Thunder 25-14
4. Los Angeles Clippers 23-16
5. Houston Rockets 22-16
6. San Antonio Spurs 23-17
7. Portland Trail Blazers 23-17
8. Los Angeles Lakers 21-19
9. Utah Jazz 20-20
10. Sacramento Kings 19-20
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 19-21
12. Memphis Grizzlies 18-21
13. Dallas Mavericks 18-21
14. New Orleans Pelicans 18-22
15. Phoenix Suns 9-32
Photo Credit: Getty Images