By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic returned from his one-game suspension with a triple-double, his seventh this season. The Serb forward/center posted 32 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists for the Denver Nuggets in their 126-110 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Juan Hernangomez also played for the hosts but didn’t score. Furkan Korkmaz scored seven points at the Pepsi Center for the losing side.
The San Antonio Spurs beat the injury-plagued New Orleans Pelicans, 126-114, at the Smoothie King Center. Pau Gasol started and scored a season-high 13 points. Marco Belinelli had eight points and Jakob Poeltl three, but Davis Bertans (personal) was inactive. Nikola Mirotic (right calf) was among the home team’s missing players.
Marc Gasol put up 18 points and the Memphis Grizzlies ended their eight-game skid with a 106-103 win over the Indiana Pacers at the FedEx Forum. Joakim Noah added nine points, but Omri Casspi (right knee) was placed on the injury list. Bojan Bogdanovic notched a 21-point team-high for the visitors and Domantas Sabonis had 11 points.
C.J. McCollum notched his first career triple-double leading the Portland Trail Blazers to their 120-111 win against the Atlanta Hawks at the Moda Center. Jusuf Nurkic aided the hosts with 15 points. Alex Len had nine and Tyler Dorsey three for the losing side.
Streaking Golden State Warriors got their tenth straight victory, 115-111, over the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden. Jonas Jerebko (personal) was out. Guerschon Yabusele didn’t play for the home side. Daniel Theis did get action, but failed to insert himself on the board.
Results and European action:
| New Orleans Pelicans | San Antonio Spurs | 114-126 | Pau Gasol 13pts, 9reb, 4ast, 1stl, Marco Belinelli 8pts, 1reb, 4ast, Jakob Poeltl 3pts, 1reb, 1ast |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Indiana Pacers | 106-103 | Marc Gasol 18pts, 7reb, 4ast, 1stl, 1blk, Joakim Noah 9pts, 6reb, 4ast, 1blk – Bojan Bogdanovic 21pts, 5reb, 1ast, Domantas Sabonis 11pts, 8reb, 1ast, 1stl |
| Boston Celtics | Golden State Warriors | 111-115 | Daniel Theis 0pts |
| Denver Nuggets | Philadelphia 76ers | 126-110 | Nikola Jokic 32pts, 18reb, 10ast, 1stl, Juan Hernangomez 5reb, 1ast – Furkan Korkmaz 7pts, 1reb |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Atlanta Hawks | 120-111 | Jusuf Nurkic 15pts, 9reb, 4ast, 2stl, 3blk – Alex Len 9pts, 5reb, 2ast, 2blk, Tyler Dorsey 3pts, 1ast |
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 35-12
2. Toronto Raptors 36-15
3. Indiana Pacers 32-16
4. Philadelphia 76ers 32-18
5. Boston Celtics 30-19
6. Brooklyn Nets 27-23
7. Miami Heat 23-24
8. Charlotte Hornets 23-25
9. Washington Wizards 21-27
10. Detroit Pistons 21-27
11. Orlando Magic 20-29
12. Atlanta Hawks 15-33
13. Chicago Bulls 11-38
14. New York Knicks 10-37
15. Cleveland Cavaliers 9-41
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors 35-14
2. Denver Nuggets 33-15
3. Oklahoma City Thunder 30-18
4. Portland Trail Blazers 31-20
5. Houston Rockets 28-20
6. San Antonio Spurs 28-22
7. Utah Jazz 28-22
8. Los Angeles Clippers 27-22
9. Los Angeles Lakers 25-24
10. Sacramento Kings 25-24
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 24-25
12. Dallas Mavericks 22-26
13. New Orleans Pelicans 22-28
14. Memphis Grizzlies 20-30
15. Phoenix Suns 11-40