By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Bogdan Bogdanovic banked a game-high 25 points including four shots beyond the arc and the Sacramento Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors, 100-79, at the Chase Center and improved to 12-14 in the 2019-20 NBA Regular Season. His outing on Sunday featured five helpers, five boards and one steal as well. Serbian teammate Nemanja Bjelica was held to two points, four dimes, three rebounds and one interception. Lone European of the losing side Alen Smailagic was on his G League assignment.
Nikola Jokic was clutch for the Denver Nuggets in the 111-105 win over the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center. The 24-year-old Serbian poured 11 points in the last quarter including the go-ahead three-pointer, finished with 25 points, ten boards, five assists, one interception and one block. Juan Hernangomez did not play and assigned Vlatko Cancar was inactive. Frank Ntilikina’s 13 points, five rebounds, four helpers and four interceptions went to waste, while Ignas Brazdeikis remained benched.
“I’m really happy to finally be back” Nikola Vucevic said after returning to action with 20 points, nine rebounds, a couple of helpers and one steal for the Orlando Magic in the 130-119 victory opposite to the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Evan Fournier chipped in with 16 points, four assists, one board and one interception. Nicolo Melli did not get on the court for the hosts during their 12th loss in a row.
Twelfth consecutive double-double for Domantas Sabonis with 12 points and 12 boards alongside four dimes as the Indiana Pacers beat the Charlotte Hornets, 107-85, at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Goga Bitadze notched two points, two rejections, one assist and one rebound with fellow European Naz Mitrou-Long (right ankle) sidelined. Willy Hernangomez had two points, one board and one assist for the losing side, but Nicolas Batum (left hand) remained out.
Season-high eight points for Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, five rebounds, one helper and one steal as well for the Brooklyn Nets in the 109-89 win versus the Philadelphia 76ers at the Barclays Center. Rodions Kurucs added three points, three boards and one interception, also Dzanan Musa grabbed a couple of rebounds. Furkan Korkmaz posted four points, two steals, one assist and one board for the visitors.
The streaking Los Angeles Lakers took down the Atlanta Hawks, 101-96, at the State Farm Arena. Kostas Antetokounmpo was part of the squad, but did not play. On the other side, Alex Len went for nine points, seven rebounds and three dimes from the bench.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 24-3
2. Miami Heat 19-7
3. Philadelphia 76ers 20-8
4. Boston Celtics 17-7
5. Toronto Raptors 17-8
6. Indiana Pacers 18-9
7. Brooklyn Nets 14-12
8. Orlando Magic 12-14
9. Detroit Pistons 11-15
10. Charlotte Hornets 12-17
11. Chicago Bulls 10-18
12. Washington Wizards 7-17
13. Cleveland Cavaliers 6-20
14. Atlanta Hawks 6-21
15. New York Knicks 6-21
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 24-3
2. Los Angeles Clippers 20-8
3. Dallas Mavericks 17-8
4. Denver Nuggets 17-8
5. Houston Rockets 17-9
6. Utah Jazz 15-11
7. Sacramento Kings 12-14
8. Oklahoma City Thunder 11-14
9. Phoenix Suns 11-14
10. Minnesota Timberwolves 10-15
11. San Antonio Spurs 10-15
12. Portland Trail Blazers 10-16
13. Memphis Grizzlies 9-17
14. New Orleans Pelicans 6-21
15. Golden State Warriors 5-23
Photo Credit: Getty Images