By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Jonas Valanciunas guided the Memphis Grizzlies to the 121-114 victory opposite to the Phoenix Suns at the Talking Stick Resort Arena with a team-high 30 points on Sunday evening. He made 12/16 from the field including 3/4 three-pointers, also tallied eight rebounds, four dimes, a pair of blocks and one interception. European teammate Marko Guduric did not take part in the 2019-20 NBA Regular Season affair. For the hosts, Ricky Rubio had nine points, eight assists, three boards and a couple of steals, Elie Okobo five points, one rebound and one dime, and Dario Saric two points, one board and one rejection.
Team-high in winning effort for Goran Dragic as well. He tied his career-high by sinking seven shots beyond the arc en route for his 29 points, added 13 assists and three rebounds in 30 minutes leading the Miami Heat to the 122-111 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers at the AmericanAirlines Arena. Another reserve, Mario Hezonja posted 10 points, a couple of steals, a pair of rejections, one rebound and one dime in losing effort. In limited action, Jaylen Hoard pulled down one rebound, but Jusuf Nurkic (left leg) stayed on the injury list.
Season-high 15 points by Ante Zizic, also put in 12 boards, a pair of assists and one steal from the bench, but the Cleveland Cavaliers suffered defeat, 118-103, at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Starter Cedi Osman was held to seven points, a couple of rebounds, one dime and one block in 30 minutes. No Europeans for the winning team.
Powered by 20 blocks and a triple-double from LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons, 106-99, at the Staples Center. Kostas Antetokounmpo remained on his G League assignment. The losing side had Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk at 14 points, three interceptions, two assists and one board from the bench, also starter Sekou Doumbouya finished with 11 points, five rebounds and one rejection.
Earlier at the Staples Center, the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the New York Knicks, 135-132. Ivica Zubac chipped in with four points and two boards in 12 minutes of action as a starter. Frank Ntilikina started as well for seven points, five dimes and four rebounds in losing effort. Assigned Ignas Brazdeikis was inactive.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 32-5
2. Boston Celtics 25-8
3. Miami Heat 26-10
4. Toronto Raptors 24-12
5. Philadelphia 76ers 23-14
6. Indiana Pacers 22-14
7. Brooklyn Nets 16-18
8. Orlando Magic 16-20
9. Charlotte Hornets 15-23
10. Chicago Bulls 13-23
11. Detroit Pistons 13-24
12. Washington Wizards 11-24
13. Cleveland Cavaliers 10-26
14. New York Knicks 10-26
15. Atlanta Hawks 8-28
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 29-7
2. Denver Nuggets 24-11
3. Houston Rockets 24-11
4. Los Angeles Clippers 26-12
5. Utah Jazz 23-12
6. Dallas Mavericks 22-13
7. Oklahoma City Thunder 20-15
8. San Antonio Spurs 14-20
9. Memphis Grizzlies 15-22
10. Portland Trail Blazers 15-22
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 14-21
12. Phoenix Suns 14-22
13. Sacramento Kings 13-23
14. New Orleans Pelicans 12-24
15. Golden State Warriors 9-28
Photo Credit: Getty Images