By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Rudy Gobert was a pleasure to watch leading the Utah Jazz to their 114-104 road win against the New Orleans Pelicans with a 22-point, 13-rebound double-double. He smashed the hosts’ comeback attempt with an emphatic dunk down the stretch and blocked four shots as well.
Luka Doncic showed off his skills finishing with 31 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, but the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Washington Wizards, 132-123, at the Capital One Arena. Tomas Satoransky had 14 points, 11 dimes and eight boards for the winning side.
Nikola Jokic was the fourth European that notched a double-double with 12 points and 17 rebounds for the Denver Nuggets in their 115-99 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. The visitors snapped their three-game losing streak.
Zaza Pachulia (left Achilles), Jakob Poeltl (left hamstring), Maxi Kleber (left knee), Goran Dragic (left calf), Ante Zizic (head), Boban Marjanovic (right knee), Mario Hezonja (left leg), Luol Deng (left Achilles), Furkan Korkmaz (right knee), Frank Ntilikina (groin) and Kristaps Porzingis (left knee) were inactive on Wednesday due to injury. Dairis Bertans (personal) also remained out.
Results and European action:
| Charlotte Hornets | Miami Heat | 84-91 | Batum 9pts, 7reb, 3ast, 1ast, 2blk, Parker 2pts, 1reb, 5ast, 2stl, W. Hernangomez DNP |
| Detroit Pistons | Minnesota Timberwolves | 131-114 | Calderon 1reb, 1ast, Mykhailiuk INA – Saric 8pts, 7reb, 1ast |
| Washington Wizards | Dallas Mavericks | 132-123 | Satoransky 14pts, 8reb, 11ast, 1stl, 1blk, Mahinmi DNP – Doncic 31pts, 11reb, 7ast, 4stl, Nowitzki 2pts, 2reb, K. Antetokounmpo DNP |
| Atlanta Hawks | San Antonio Spurs | 104-111 | Len 11pts, 7reb, 2ast, 1stl – Dav. Bertans 12pts, 4eb, 2ast, Belinelli 5pts, 4reb, 2ast |
| Brooklyn Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | 113-107 | Kurucs 10pts, 7reb, 1ast, 3blk, Musa G-L – Osman 5pts, 6reb, 4ast |
| Chicago Bulls | Philadelphia 76ers | 108-107 | Markkanen 11pts, 8reb, 1ast, Luwawu-Cabarrot 3pts, 4reb, 1stl |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Utah Jazz | 104-114 | Gobert 22pts, 13reb, 1ast, 4blk, Rubio 9pts, 3reb, 10ast, 2stl, Sefolosha 3pts, 1reb, Mitrou-Long G-L |
| Phoenix Suns | New York Knicks | 107-96 | Okobo 2pts, Bender 3reb, 1ast |
| Sacramento Kings | Boston Celtics | 109-111 | Bogd, Bogdanovic 14pts, 4reb, 3ast, 1stl, Bjelica 5pts, 5reb, 2ast, 1stl, 2blk, Koufos DNP – Theis 2reb, 1stl, Yabusele DNP |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Denver Nuggets | 99-115 | Wagner 11pts, 3reb, 2ast, 1stl, 1blk, Bonga 2pts, 1reb, 1ast – Jokic 12pts, 17reb, 8ast, 3stl, J. Hernangomez 0pts |
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. x-Milwaukee Bucks 48-16
2. Toronto Raptors 46-19
3. Indiana Pacers 42-23
4. Philadelphia 76ers 41-24
5. Boston Celtics 40-26
6. Detroit Pistons 32-31
7. Brooklyn Nets 34-33
8. Miami Heat 30-34
9. Orlando Magic 30-36
10. Charlotte Hornets 29-35
11. Washington Wizards 27-37
12. Atlanta Hawks 22-44
13. Chicago Bulls 19-47
14. Cleveland Cavaliers 16-49
15. e-New York Knicks 13-52
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors 44-20
2. Denver Nuggets 43-21
3. Houston Rockets 39-25
4. Oklahoma City Thunder 39-25
5. Portland Trail Blazers 39-25
6. Utah Jazz 37-27
7. San Antonio Spurs 37-29
8. Los Angeles Clippers 37-29
9. Sacramento Kings 32-32
10. Minnesota Timberwolves 30-35
11. Los Angeles Lakers 30-35
12. New Orleans Pelicans 30-37
13. Dallas Mavericks 27-37
14. Memphis Grizzlies 26-40
15. e-Phoenix Suns 15-51
x-Secured a playoffs spot
e-Eliminated from playoffs