By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic with 22 points, ten rebounds and ten assists led the Denver Nuggets to the 109-100 win versus the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday evening. His fifth triple-double of the season and 33rd in his NBA career was combined with his eighth straight double-double. He also rejected a couple of shots in the 2019-20 Regular Season contest. The 24-year-old Serbian big made 10 out of 16 field goals for the night including a couple of shots beyond the arc in 33 minutes of work. Fellow Europeans Juan Hernangomez and Vlatko Cancar did not leave the bench with their side improving to 19-8 overall, 13-3 at home.
Serge Ibaka started for Marc Gasol (left hamstring) and aided the Toronto Raptors to the 122-118 win versus the Washington Wizards at the Scotiabank Arena with 23 points, ten boards, three blocks and one dime. Fellow European starter, OG Anunoby had 18 points, seven rebounds and a couple of assists. Davis Bertans notched ten points, eight rebounds, three dimes and one interception for the losing side, Ian Mahinmi eight points, seven boards, two assists and one steal, Isaac Bonga one point, one rebound and one dime, and Anzejs Pasecniks four boards and one assist, but Moritz Wagner (left ankle) remained on the injury list.
European contribution was up to 46 points with the Oklahoma City Thunder beating the Phoenix Suns, 126-108, at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Dennis Schroder poured 24 points, tallied nine rebounds and six dimes as well, while Danilo Gallinari had 22 points, six boards, one assist and one block. Ricky Rubio’s 24 points, eight dimes, two rebounds and one interception went to waste for the visitors, so did Dario Saric’s 16 points, six boards, four assists and one steal. Elie Okobo was also in action with 11 points, three interceptions, a couple of blocks and one rebound.
The Boston Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons, 114-93, at the TD Garden, with Enes Kanter posting eight points, 18 rebounds, one steal and one rejection. Daniel Theis also put up eight points to go along with his six boards, four blocks, one interception and one assist. Javonte Green had six points and two steals. However, Vincent Poirier (right hand) was out. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk notched 12 points, two rebounds, two interceptions and one assist in losing effort, and Sekou Doumbouya two points, one board and one steal.
Despite missing Luka Doncic (right ankle) for the third consecutive game, the Dallas Mavericks went by the Philadelphia 76ers, 117-98, at the Wells Fargo Center. Kristaps Porzingis was on hand with 22 points, a career-high 18 boards, three rejections and one steal. Maxi Kleber added ten points, three rebounds, two dimes and one interception. Boban Marjanovic played five minutes for one rebound. Furkan Korkmaz got five points, two boards and one assist in 13 minutes of work from the bench for the losing outlet.
Three rebounds from Mario Hezonja were the lone European output for the Portland Trail Blazers in the 118-103 win versus the Orlando Magic at the Moda Center. Jusuf Nurkic (left leg) was out alongside assigned Jaylen Hoard. Nikola Vucevic posted a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double for the losing side, tallied six interceptions, a pair of blocks and one assist as well. Evan Fournier finished with 16 points, three dimes, two rebounds and one steal.
Fifteen points, nine rebounds, six dimes and a pair of rejections from Domantas Sabonis helped the Indiana Pacers beat the Sacramento Kings, 119-105, at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Goga Bitadze chipped in with four points and two rebounds, but Naz Mitrou-Long (right ankle) was out. Bogdan Bogdanovic (right ankle) of the visitors was also sidelined while Nemanja Bjelica posted 13 points, five boards and three assists.
Cedi Osman had 13 points alongside a couple of rebounds and a pair of dimes for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 114-107 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Ante Zizic did not take part in the action. On the other side, Jonas Valanciunas landed a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double, two assists and four rejections with Marko Guduric remaining on the bench.
Returning Goran Dragic went for 18 points from the bench, also dished eight assists, grabbed one rebound and blocked one shot with the Miami Heat prevailing, 129-114, over the New York Knicks at the AmericanAirlines Arena. Frank Ntilikina had three points and one board in 16 minutes, but Ignas Brazdeikis was on a G League assignment.
Also, the Golden State Warriors beat the New Orleans Pelicans, 106-102, at the Chase Center. Transferred to G League, Alen Smailagic was inactive for the winning side. Nicolo Melli was active for the visitors, but did not get on the court.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 25-4
2. Boston Celtics 19-7
3. Miami Heat 21-8
4. Toronto Raptors 20-8
5. Indiana Pacers 20-9
6. Philadelphia 76ers 20-10
7. Brooklyn Nets 15-13
8. Charlotte Hornets 13-18
9. Orlando Magic 12-17
10. Detroit Pistons 11-18
11. Chicago Bulls 11-19
12. Washington Wizards 8-19
13. Cleveland Cavaliers 8-21
14. New York Knicks 7-22
15. Atlanta Hawks 6-23
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 24-5
2. Denver Nuggets 19-8
3. Los Angeles Clippers 21-9
4. Dallas Mavericks 19-9
5. Houston Rockets 19-9
6. Utah Jazz 19-11
7. Oklahoma City Thunder 14-14
8. Portland Trail Blazers 13-16
9. Sacramento Kings 12-16
10. San Antonio Spurs 11-16
11. Phoenix Suns 11-17
12. Minnesota Timberwolves 10-17
13. Memphis Grizzlies 10-19
14. New Orleans Pelicans 7-23
15. Golden State Warriors 6-24
Photo Credit: Getty Images