By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Bojan Bogdanovic led the shorthanded Indiana Pacers to their 122-115 home victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a season-high 37 points. The 29-year-old Croatian forward was instrumental down the stretch with 11 points in the winning side’s 15-8 closing run.
Nikola Vucevic put up a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double for the Orlando Magic in their 103-96 win over the Golden State Warriors at the Amway Center. The hosts rallied down the stretch to snap their eleven-game losing streak against the defending NBA Champions.
The Denver Nuggets missed their chance to top the Western Conference after their 109-102 home defeat to the Utah Jazz. Nikola Jokic had 16 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists for the losing side in the 2018-19 Regular Season contest. Rudy Gobert posted 16 points for the visitors.
The Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a 14-point deficit in the last quarter to grab a 125-118 victory over the New York Knicks at the Madison Square Garden. Cedi Osman helped out with 21 points and Ante Zizic finished with eight of his own including a clutch bucket.
Many European players were inactive on Thursday due to injury. Ricky Rubio (left hamstring), Domantas Sabonis (left ankle), Luol Deng (left Achilles), Boban Marjanovic (right knee), Frank Ntilikina (groin), Furkan Korkmaz (right knee), Mario Hezonja (left leg) and Timofey Mozgov (right knee) all sat out.
Results and European action:
| Indiana Pacers | Minnesota Timberwolves | 122-115 | Boj. Bogdanovic 37pts, 7reb, 4ast – Saric 7pts, 8reb, 1blk |
| Orlando Magic | Golden State Warriors | 103-96 | Vucevic 12pts, 13reb, 6ast, 3blk, Fournier 8pts, 2reb, 2ast, 1blk – Jerebko 4pts, 4reb, 1blk |
| New York Knicks | Cleveland Cavaliers | 118-125 | Osman 21pts, 7reb, 5ast, 1stl, 2blk, Zizic 8pts, 5reb, 2ast |
| Houston Rockets | Miami Heat | 121-118 | Capela 6pts, 11reb, 2ast, 1stl, 2blk, Hartenstein G-LEA – Dragic 21pts, 5reb, 5ast, 1stl |
| Denver Nuggets | Utah Jazz | 104-111 | Jokic 16pts, 13reb, 7ast, J. Hernangomez 2reb, 1stl – Gobert 16pts, 8reb, 1ast, 4blk, Sefolosha 9pts, 2reb, 2stl, Mitrou-Long DNP |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Philadelphia 76ers | 104-108 | Schroder 14pts, 1reb, 7ast, 1stl |
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 47-14
2. Toronto Raptors 45-17
3. Indiana Pacers 41-22
4. Philadelphia 76ers 40-22
5. Boston Celtics 37-25
6. Brooklyn Nets 32-31
7. Detroit Pistons 29-31
8. Orlando Magic 29-34
9. Charlotte Hornets 28-33
10. Miami Heat 27-34
11. Washington Wizards 25-36
12. Atlanta Hawks 21-41
13. Chicago Bulls 17-45
14. Cleveland Cavaliers 15-47
15. New York Knicks 13-49
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors 43-19
2. Denver Nuggets 42-19
3. Oklahoma City Thunder 38-23
4. Portland Trail Blazers 38-23
5. Houston Rockets 37-25
6. Utah Jazz 35-26
7. San Antonio Spurs 34-29
8. Los Angeles Clippers 34-29
9. Sacramento Kings 31-30
10. Los Angeles Lakers 30-31
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 29-33
12. Dallas Mavericks 27-34
13. New Orleans Pelicans 27-36
14. Memphis Grizzlies 24-39
15. Phoenix Suns 12-50 (E)
E-Eliminated from playoffs