By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Bogdan Bogdanovic went for a 12-point, 10-assist double-double, grabbed three rebounds and added a couple of steals as well, while Nemanja Bjelica added a 12-point, 14-rebound double-double complimented by four assists and one rejection for the Sacramento Kings in the narrow 100-99 victory against the Boston Celtics at the Golden 1 Center. The visitors had Daniel Theis at 14 points, 10 boards and one assist, Enes Kanter at 10 points, seven rebounds and one rejection and Javonte Green at one rebound, but Vincent Poirier did not leave the bench.
Nikola Vucevic posted a 30-point, 17-rebound double-double, also dished six dimes and rejected one shot leading the Orlando Magic to the 125-121 victory over the Washington Wizards at the Amway Center. European teammate Evan Fournier followed with 25 points, also put up nine assists, one board and one interception. Davis Bertans had 15 points, five assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block for the losing side, Moritz Wagner 12 points, three dimes and three boards, but Isaac Bonga did not play and Ian Mahinmi (right Achilles) remained sidelined.
In a battle of depleted teams, the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the struggling Golden State Warriors, 108-100, at the Smoothie King Center. An NBA-high 16 points from Nicolo Melli was helpful for the winning side in Sunday’s Regular Season contest. The 28-year-old Italian forward made 5/7 threes to go along with five rebounds and three dimes in 27 minutes from the bench. The visitors’ Alen Smailagic remained out due to his right ankle injury.
Another European personal season-high was set by Juan Hernangomez with 15 points to go along with three boards, a pair of dimes and one block for the Denver Nuggets in the 131-114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum. Nikola Jokic had nine points, eight assists and five boards, but Vlatko Cancar was inactive. Jonas Valanciunas notched 16 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts, Marko Guduric two points, three rebounds, two dimes, one interception and one block.
Furkan Korkmaz scored 13 points, tallied four rebounds and one rejection as well for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 114-95 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Another Turkey representative, Cedi Osman, posted five pints, four rebounds, one assist and one steal for the losing side, while Ante Zizic returned to action with six points, a couple of boards and one steal in 17 minutes.
With Kostas Antetokounmpo out of the squad, the Los Angeles Lakers went past the Atlanta Hawks, 122-101, at the Staples Center. Alex Len was held to three points and four rebounds in 15 minutes of work for the visitors.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 10-2
2. Miami Heat 9-3
3. Milwaukee Bucks 9-3
4. Toronto Raptors 8-4
5. Philadelphia 76ers 8-5
6. Indiana Pacers 7-6
7. Orlando Magic 6-7
8. Charlotte Hornets 6-7
9. Brooklyn Nets 5-7
10. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-8
11. Chicago Bulls 4-9
12. Atlanta Hawks 4-9
13. Detroit Pistons 4-9
14. Washington Wizards 3-8
15. New York Knicks 3-10
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 11-2
2. Houston Rockets 10-3
3. Denver Nuggets 9-3
4. Utah Jazz 8-4
5. Phoenix Suns 7-4
6. Los Angeles Clippers 8-5
7. Dallas Mavericks 7-5
8. Minnesota Timberwolves 7-6
9. Oklahoma City Thunder 5-7
10. Sacramento Kings 5-7
11. Memphis Grizzlies 5-8
12. Portland Trail Blazers 5-8
13. San Antonio Spurs 5-8
14. New Orleans Pelicans 4-9
15. Golden State Warriors 2-12
Photo Credit: Getty Images