By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Once more among the top performers of the Sacramento Kings, Bogdan Bogdanovic poured 21 points from the bench, also posted four dimes, four rebounds and one interception in 28 minutes for the 113-106 victory over the Washington Wizards at the Capital One Arena. Starter Nemanja Bjelica went for six points, 12 boards, three assists, three steals and one rejection on Sunday evening. Moritz Wagner notched 12 points, 11 rebounds and four assists for the hosts, Davis Bertans also finished with 12 points to go along with his six boards, two assists, one steal and one block, and Isaac Bonga made one two-pointer, but Ian Mahinmi (Achilles) remained out.
The streaking Denver Nuggets defeated the Phoenix Suns, 116-104, at the Pepsi Center. Nikola Jokic contributed to the fifth consecutive “W” with eight points, 13 boards, five dimes and a couple of interceptions in 32 minutes of work, while reserve Juan Hernangomez grabbed one rebound in nine minutes and Vlatko Cancar spend his night in the G League. Dario Saric posted an 18-point, 17-rebound double-double, tallied two dimes and one block as well, but his side was on the wrong end of the outcome. Fellow European Elie Okobo had 16 points, four assists, two rebounds and one interception. Ricky Rubio (back) remained sidelined.
Dzanan Musa ended up with five points, three boards, three assists and one steal at the Madison Square Garden, Rodions Kurucs also scored five points to go along with one dime and one interception for the Brooklyn Nets that beat the New York Knicks, 103-101, without injured Kyrie Irving. Assigned at G League, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot was inactive. As for the Europeans of the hosts, Frank Ntilikina started and put up eight points, five assists and three rebounds, but Ignas Brazdeikis did not see any playing time in the 2019-20 NBA Regular Season contest.
The Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets, 137-123, behind Luka Doncic’s 41 points, ten dimes, six rebounds, two steals and one block. Kristaps Porzingis had 23 points, 13 rebounds, three dimes, a pair of interceptions and one block, and Maxi Kleber added 11 points, two boards and one assist, but Boban Marjanovic did not leave the bench. Clint Capela posted a 21-point, 22-rebound double-double, also tallied three dimes and two steals in losing effort, fellow European Isaiah Hartenstein notched two points and one board, but Thabo Sefolosha played just two minutes.
The lone European of the Los Angeles Clippers, Ivica Zubac fouled out after 17 minutes of action with five points and ten rebounds to his name, but the Los Angeles Clippers routed the New Orleans Pelicans, 134-109, at the Staples Center for their fifth win in a row. Nicolo Melli finised with five points and three rebounds from the bench for the losing side.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 13-3
2. Boston Celtics 11-4
3. Miami Heat 11-4
4. Toronto Raptors 11-4
5. Philadelphia 76ers 11-5
6. Indiana Pacers 9-6
7. Brooklyn Nets 8-8
8. Orlando Magic 6-9
9. Washington Wizards 5-9
10. Charlotte Hornets 6-11
11. Chicago Bulls 6-11
12. Cleveland Cavaliers 5-11
13. Detroit Pistons 5-11
14. Atlanta Hawks 4-12
15. New York Knicks 4-13
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 14-2
2. Denver Nuggets 12-3
3. Los Angeles Clippers 12-5
4. Dallas Mavericks 11-5
5. Utah Jazz 11-5
6. Houston Rockets 11-6
7. Phoenix Suns 8-8
8. Minnesota Timberwolves 8-8
9. Sacramento Kings 7-8
10. New Orleans Pelicans 6-11
11. San Antonio Spurs 6-11
12. Memphis Grizzlies 5-10
13. Oklahoma City Thunder 5-10
14. Portland Trail Blazers 5-12
15. Golden State Warriors 3-14
Photo Credit: Getty Images