By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic sank the game-winning shot for the Denver Nuggets in their 100-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The 24-year-old Serb big ended up with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Luka Doncic and Maxi Kleber also posted a double-double for the losing side with the former falling one assist shy from a triple-double.
Wesley Matthews tipped the winning bucket for the Indiana Pacers in their 108-106 home win against the Oklahoma City Thunder to complete a rally from an 18-point deficit at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. However, Domantas Sabonis and Bojan Bogdanovic helped out pouring 26 and 23 points, respectively.
Nikola Vucevic posted a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double for the Orlando Magic in their comfortable 120-91 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Marc Gasol contributed with 15 points in the Toronto Raptors’ 111-98 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Serge Ibaka (suspension) wasn’t available on Thursday. Thabo Sefolosha (left hamstring) and Daniel Theis (illness) were also sidelined. Fellow Europeans Luol Deng (left Achilles), Timofey Mozgov (right knee) and Kristaps Porzingis (left knee) remained out due to injury.
Results and European action:
| Indiana Pacers | Oklahoma City Thunder | 108-106 | Sabonis 26pts, 7reb, 4ast, 1blk, Boj. Bogdanovic 23pts, 4reb, 5ast – Schroder 7pts, 5reb, 5ast |
| Orlando Magic | Cleveland Cavaliers | 120-91 | Vucevic 19pts, 11reb, 2ast, 2stl, Fournier 10pts, 4reb, 3ast, 2stl – Zizic 11pts, 8reb, 1ast, Osman 8pts, 8reb, 4ast |
| Boston Celtics | Sacramento Kings | 126-120 | Yabusele DNP – Bjelica 9pts, 6reb, 1stl, 1blk, Bogd. Bogdanovic 9pts, 2ast, Koufos DNP |
| Toronto Raptors | Los Angeles Lakers | 111-98 | M. Gasol 15pts, 7reb, 4ast, 2stl, Anunoby 7pts, 4reb, 2stl – Wagner 1reb, 1stl, Bonga DNP |
| Utah Jazz | Minnesota Timberwolves | 120-100 | Gobert 10pts, 13reb, 1ast, 2blk, Rubio 8pts, 3reb, 8ast, 1stl, Mitrou-Long G-L – Saric 10pts, 1reb, 1ast |
| Denver Nuggets | Dallas Mavericks | 100-99 | Jokic 11pts, 14reb, 8ast, 1blk, J. Hernangomez 2pts, 2reb, 1blk – Doncic 24pts, 11reb, 9ast, 2stl, Kleber 11pts, 11reb, 1ast, 1stl, Nowitzki 9pts, 1ast, K. Antetokounmpo G-L |
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. x-Milwaukee Bucks 51-17
2. x-Toronto Raptors 49-20
3. Indiana Pacers 44-25
4. Philadelphia 76ers 43-25
5. Boston Celtics 42-27
6. Brooklyn Nets 36-34
7. Detroit Pistons 34-33
8. Miami Heat 32-35
9. Orlando Magic 32-38
10. Charlotte Hornets 30-37
11. Washington Wizards 29-39
12. Atlanta Hawks 24-45
13. e-Chicago Bulls 19-50
14. e-Cleveland Cavaliers 17-52
15. e-New York Knicks 13-55
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors 46-21
2. Denver Nuggets 45-22
3. Houston Rockets 42-26
4. Portland Trail Blazers 41-26
5. Oklahoma City Thunder 42-27
6. Utah Jazz 39-29
7. San Antonio Spurs 39-29
8. Los Angeles Clippers 39-30
9. Sacramento Kings 33-34
10. Minnesota Timberwolves 32-37
11. Los Angeles Lakers 31-37
12. New Orleans Pelicans 30-40
13. Memphis Grizzlies 28-41
14. Dallas Mavericks 27-41
15. e-Phoenix Suns 16-53
x-Secured a playoffs spot
e-Eliminated from playoffs