By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic notched 20 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his eight 2018-19 triple-double. The 23-year-old Serb was instrumental for the Denver Nuggets in their 105-99 away victory against the New Orleans Pelicans scoring a couple of clutch layups in the final minute while guarded by Jahlil Okafor,
Elsewhere, Luka Doncic made his Madison Square Garden debut pouring 16 points. Dirk Nowitzki added a season-high 14 points and the Dallas Mavericks overpowered the New York Knicks, 114-90. The Regular Season game was also highlighted by Enes Kanter, who kissed the logo at midcourt after checking in for a rare appearance during the third quarter.
Finn Lauri Markkanen posted a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double for the Chicago Bulls in their 105-89 away win over the Miami Heat. Marc Gasol, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Rudy Gobert, Nicolas Batum, Ricky Rubio, Nemanja Bjelica, Bojan Bogdanovic, Mario Hezonja, Luol Deng had double-digit scoring performances.
Jusuf Nurkic (right knee) was among players that missed their team’s Regular Season game on Wednesday. Tony Parker (ankle), Tyler Dorsey (knee), Frank Ntilikina (groin), Omri Casspi (right knee), Nikola Mirotic (right calfh), Thabo Sefolosha (right hamstring), Goran Dragic (right knee) and Kristaps Porzingis (left knee) were also sidelined.
Results and European action:
| Boston Celtics | Charlotte Hornets | 126-94 | Theis 5pts, 7reb, 1ast, 2blk, Yabusele 2pts, 2reb, 1ast – Batum 13pts, 2reb, 4ast, 2stl, W. Hernangomez 2pts, 2reb, 2ast |
| Miami Heat | Chicago Bulls | 89-105 | Markkanen 14pts, 13reb, 4ast |
| New York Knicks | Dallas Mavericks | 90-114 | Hezonja 13pts, 2reb, 1ast, 2stl, Kanter 5pts, 2reb, 1ast – Doncic 16pts, 8reb, 5ast, Nowitzki 14pts, Kleber 4pts, 3reb, 1stl, 1blk |
| Washington Wizards | Indiana Pacers | 107-89 | Satoransky 3pts, 2reb, 6ast, 1stl, Mahinmi 2pts, 4reb, 1ast – Boj. Bogdanovic 12pts, 2reb, 2ast, Sabonis 10pts, 8reb, 3ast, 1stl |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Memphis Grizzlies | 99-97 | Deng 10pts, 3reb, 4ast, 1stl, 1blk, Saric 8pts, 1reb, 1ast, 2stl – M. Gasol 19pts, 7reb, 4ast, Noah 7pts, 5reb, 1ast, 1stl, 1blk |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Denver Nuggets | 99-105 | Jokic 20pts, 13reb, 10ast, 3stl, 2blk, J. Hernangomez 1reb, 1ast, 1stl |
| Sacramento Kings | Atlanta Hawks | 135-113 | Bogd. Bogdanovic 16pts, 4reb, 7ast, 1stl, Bjelica 12pts, 8reb, 2ast, 1stl, Koufos 6pts, 2reb – Len 13pts, 3reb |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Utah Jazz | 132-105 | Gobert 15pts, 9reb, 2ast, 2blk, Rubio 12pts, 4reb, 2ast, 1stl, Mitrou-Long 1reb |
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 36-13
2. Toronto Raptors 37-15
3. Philadelphia 76ers 33-18
4. Indiana Pacers 32-18
5. Boston Celtics 32-19
6. Brooklyn Nets 28-24
7. Miami Heat 24-25
8. Charlotte Hornets 24-26
9. Washington Wizards 22-29
10. Detroit Pistons 21-28
11. Orlando Magic 20-31
12. Atlanta Hawks 16-34
13. Chicago Bulls 12-40
14. Cleveland Cavaliers 11-41
15. New York Knicks 10-40
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors 36-14
2. Denver Nuggets 35-15
3. Oklahoma City Thunder 32-18
4. Portland Trail Blazers 32-20
5. Houston Rockets 29-21
6. San Antonio Spurs 30-22
7. Utah Jazz 29-23
8. Los Angeles Clippers 28-23
9. Los Angeles Lakers 26-25
10. Sacramento Kings 26-25
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 25-26
12. Dallas Mavericks 23-27
13. New Orleans Pelicans 23-29
14. Memphis Grizzlies 20-32
15. Phoenix Suns 11-42