Lauri Markkanen keeps it going in Jazz win

By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net

Digging their way out of a 14-point hole to avoid an upset in Vivint Arena, the Utah Jazz beat the San Antonio Spurs, 118-102, Saturday.

“It was the defense that was the difference maker, just getting out in transition and running to get into a good rhythm,” said Lauri Markkanen after putting in 14 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter of the NBA Saturdays affair. The Finnish All-Star additionally chipped in four rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes. Following up on the 43-point showing coming out of the All-Star Game held in Salt Lake City, he made 9/17 field goals in the latest brilliant showing scattered across the 2022-23 NBA Regular Season.

Italian reserve Simone Fontecchio threw in 11 points, one steal, one assist, and one rebound over 13 minutes helping the Jazz get 1.5 games away from a direct ticket to the Playoffs. For the Spurs, on the brink of elimination with the losing streak rolling to 16 games, Polish Jeremy Sochan registered a team-high 22 points alongside six rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes.

Dealing with an early 29-point deficit, the Western Conference leaders Denver Nuggets fell, 112-94, to the Memphis Grizzlies in FedExForum. Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic went for 15 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists in the losing effort. Spanish Santi Aldama tallied five points, six rebounds, two steals, and one assist as the Grizzlies cut the deficit from the top of the standings to five games.

Combining 12 points with ten rebounds in Madison Square Garden, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas was not enough for the New Orleans Pelicans in the loss, 128-106, to the New York Knicks. Spanish teammate Willy Hernangomez had nine points, eight rebounds, and three steals. For the Knicks, celebrating the golden anniversary of the 1973 championship, German Isaiah Hartenstein contributed four points, ten rebounds, and two assists.

More NBA Saturdays action and European showings

Detroit Pistons – Toronto Raptors 91-95 (Bojan Bogdanovic 11pts, 9reb, Killian Hayes 3pts, 6ast – Jakob Poeltl 9pts, 14reb, 4ast, 2stl, O.G. Anunoby 6pts)
Charlotte Hornets – Miami Heat 108-103
Orlando Magic – Indiana Pacers 108-121 (Franz Wagner 21pts, 6reb, Paolo Banchero 19pts, 6reb, Moritz Wagner 8pts, Goga Bitadze 6pts, 6reb)
Philadelphia 76ers – Boston Celtics 107-110

2022-23 STANDINGS

EAST

TEAM	W	L	LAST 10
1 BOSTON	44	17	8-2
2 MILWAUKEE	42	17	10-0
3 PHILADELPHIA	39	20	7-3
4 CLEVELAND	38	25	7-3
5 BROOKLYN	34	25	4-6
6 NEW YORK	35	27	8-2
7 MIAMI	32	29	4-6
8 ATLANTA	30	30	5-5
9 TORONTO	30	31	7-3
10 WASHINGTON	28	31	5-5
11 CHICAGO	27	33	4-6
12 INDIANA	27	35	3-7
13 ORLANDO	25	36	5-5
14 CHARLOTTE	17	43	3-7
15 DETROIT	15	46	2-8

WEST

TEAM	W	L	LAST 10
1 DENVER	42	18	7-3
2 MEMPHIS	36	23	5-5
3 SACRAMENTO	34	25	6-4
4 PHOENIX	33	28	7-3
5 LA CLIPPERS	32	29	5-5
6 DALLAS	32	29	6-4
7 MINNESOTA	31	31	4-6
8 UTAH	31	31	5-5
9 GOLDEN STATE	30	30	4-6
10 NEW ORLEANS	30	31	4-6
11 OKLAHOMA	28	31	4-6
12 PORTLAND	28	31	5-5
13 LA LAKERS	28	32	5-5
14 SAN ANTONIO	14	47	0-10
15 HOUSTON	13	46	2-8

-Top six teams of each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seeded 7th to 10th will compete in Play-In tournament

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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