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
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
NEW YORK 35 27
8-2
MIAMI 32 29
4-6
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
DENVER 42 18
7-3
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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