By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
NBA action continued Monday despite a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and the postponement of the game between the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic.
The Utah Jazz is back on the winning track after beating Charlotte Hornets 112-102 at home. Rudy Gobert lifted the team to victory with a double-double of 23 points and 21 rebounds, while Bojan Bogdanovic also tapped 23 points.
Miles Bridges and Lamelo Ball both had 21 points for the Hornets, which have now lost their third straight game.
DeMar DeRozan was cleared to return to action after entering the COVID-19 protocols a few days prior and led the Chicago Bulls to a 133-118 victory over the Houston Rockets. DeRozan posted 26 points for the hosts, Nikola Vucevic picked up 18 points and 6 rebounds and Lonzo Ball added 19 points.
Christian Wood was the leading scorer for the Rockets with 23 points, 11 rebounds, Jaesean Tate tapped 16, while Alepren Sengun had 8 points, 5 rebounds in 19 minutes coming off of the bench.
Stephen Curry dropped 30 points to help the Golden State Warriors get past the Sacramento Kings 113-98 with a fourth-quarter outbreak. Damion Lee contributed 18 points for the Warriors and Draymond Green picked up a triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
On the other end of the court, Tyrese Haliburton paced the Kings with a double-double of 24 points and 11 assists.
Joel Embiid went off with 41 points and 10 rebounds to help the Philadelphia 76ers overcome the Boston Celtics 108-103 on the road. Seth Curry contributed 26 points and Tobias Harris tapped 25, along with 7 rebounds for the Sixers.
Jaylen Brown had 30 points for the Celtics, Jayson Tatum followed with 17 and Enes Freedom posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Dejounte Murray had his third triple-double in five games with 24 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds to help the San Antonio Spurs overcome the Los Angeles Clippers 116-92. Jakob Poeltl was among the top performers of the game with 17 points and 11 rebounds and Doug McDermott tapped 16 points for the Spurs.
Paul George added 25 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the Clippers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 23 points, Josh Giddey followed with a double-double of 19 points and 11 assists and the Oklahoma City Thunder overcame Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies 102-99. Morant returned from injury and COVID-19 protocols after missing 12 games and posted 16 points against the Thunder. Desmond Bane led the way for Memphis with 25 points and Dillon Brooks had 19.
NBA December 20 results:
Philadelphia 76ers – Boston Celtics 108-103
Houston Rockets – Chicago Bulls 118-133
Oklahoma City Thunder – Memphis Grizzlies 102-99
Charlotte Hornets – Utah Jazz 102-112
Sacramento Kings – Golden State Warriors 98-113
San Antonio Spurs – LA Clippers 116-92
Standings:
Eastern Conference
| TEAM | W | L | WIN% | GB | CONF | DIV | HOME | ROAD | OT | LAST 10 | STREAK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 9 | .700 | — | 17-6 | 6-0 | 10-6 | 11-3 | 1-0 | 7-3 | L 1 | |
|
2. Chicago Bulls |
19 | 10 | .655 | 1.5 | 10-7 | 2-2 | 10-4 | 9-6 | 0-0 | 7-3 | W 2 |
| 19 | 12 | .613 | 2.5 | 12-6 | 3-1 | 9-7 | 10-5 | 0-0 | 8-2 | W 6 | |
| 19 | 13 | .594 | 3 | 14-9 | 6-1 | 10-5 | 9-8 | 0-2 | 5-5 | L 2 | |
|
5. Miami Heat |
18 | 13 | .581 | 3.5 | 12-7 | 4-1 | 8-4 | 10-9 | 0-2 | 5-5 | L 1 |
|
6. Philadelphia 76ers |
16 | 15 | .516 | 5.5 | 10-9 | 1-6 | 6-7 | 10-8 | 1-1 | 5-5 | W 1 |
| 16 | 15 | .516 | 5.5 | 10-9 | 3-4 | 8-4 | 8-11 | 3-0 | 3-7 | W 1 | |
|
8. Charlotte Hornets |
16 | 17 | .485 | 6.5 | 10-8 | 5-2 | 8-4 | 8-13 | 0-4 | 3-7 | L 3 |
|
9. Boston Celtics |
15 | 16 | .484 | 6.5 | 10-9 | 4-4 | 8-6 | 7-10 | 2-2 | 4-6 | L 1 |
|
10. Toronto Raptors |
14 | 15 | .483 | 6.5 | 10-9 | 4-4 | 7-9 | 7-6 | 0-1 | 5-5 | W 1 |
|
11. Atlanta Hawks |
14 | 15 | .483 | 6.5 | 8-8 | 4-2 | 8-7 | 6-8 | 0-0 | 4-6 | L 1 |
|
12. New York Knicks |
13 | 17 | .433 | 8 | 8-14 | 3-4 | 5-10 | 8-7 | 1-0 | 2-8 | L 1 |
|
13. Indiana Pacers |
13 | 18 | .419 | 8.5 | 8-13 | 2-4 | 10-7 | 3-11 | 1-2 | 4-6 | W 1 |
|
14. Orlando Magic |
6 | 25 | .194 | 15.5 | 3-18 | 0-7 | 2-10 | 4-15 | 0-0 | 2-8 | W 1 |
|
15. Detroit Pistons |
5 | 24 | .172 | 15.5 | 4-14 | 1-6 | 3-12 | 2-12 | 0-1 | 1-9 | W 1 |
Western Conference
| TEAM | W | L | WIN% | GB | CONF | DIV | HOME | ROAD | OT | LAST 10 | STREAK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Phoenix Suns |
24 | 5 | .828 | — | 15-5 | 3-3 | 14-2 | 10-3 | 1-0 | 8-2 | W 3 |
|
2. Golden State Warriors |
25 | 6 | .806 | — | 13-3 | 6-1 | 15-2 | 10-4 | 0-1 | 7-3 | W 1 |
|
3. Utah Jazz |
21 | 9 | .700 | 3.5 | 11-3 | 5-0 | 11-6 | 10-3 | 0-0 | 8-2 | W 1 |
|
4. Memphis Grizzlies |
19 | 13 | .594 | 6.5 | 15-8 | 3-2 | 11-8 | 8-5 | 2-0 | 7-3 | L 2 |
| 15 | 14 | .517 | 9 | 8-8 | 2-3 | 8-5 | 7-9 | 1-0 | 6-4 | W 1 | |
|
6. LA Clippers |
16 | 15 | .516 | 9 | 11-13 | 2-4 | 12-8 | 4-7 | 0-1 | 5-5 | L 3 |
| 16 | 15 | .516 | 9 | 8-10 | 1-4 | 10-7 | 6-8 | 5-1 | 6-4 | L 2 | |
| 15 | 15 | .500 | 9.5 | 11-9 | 2-2 | 9-9 | 6-6 | 1-1 | 5-5 | W 4 | |
| 14 | 15 | .483 | 10 | 11-8 | 7-2 | 7-7 | 7-8 | 1-1 | 4-6 | L 2 | |
| 13 | 18 | .419 | 12 | 7-14 | 1-3 | 11-7 | 2-11 | 0-1 | 3-7 | W 2 | |
|
11. Sacramento Kings |
13 | 19 | .406 | 12.5 | 9-13 | 4-4 | 7-9 | 6-10 | 1-0 | 5-5 | L 1 |
|
12. San Antonio Spurs |
12 | 18 | .400 | 12.5 | 7-13 | 1-3 | 6-9 | 6-9 | 0-1 | 5-5 | W 1 |
|
13. Oklahoma City Thunder |
10 | 19 | .345 | 14 | 8-12 | 0-2 | 5-10 | 5-9 | 0-0 | 4-6 | W 2 |
|
14. Houston Rockets |
10 | 21 | .323 | 15 | 4-13 | 1-3 | 7-7 | 3-14 | 1-0 | 5-5 | L 1 |
| 10 | 21 | .323 | 15 | 7-13 | 2-4 | 5-9 | 5-12 | 1-1 | 5-5 | W 2 |