By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A brilliant performance for Luka Doncic highlighted the NBA on Christmas Day.
Banking in 50 points, he went over 10,000 points throughout his career in the NBA Regular Season. Making 15/25 from the field, including 8/16 three-pointers, the Slovenian sensation led the Dallas Mavericks to the win, 128-114, over the Phoenix Suns in Footprint Center. Dishing out 15 assists shaped a double-double to go with six rebounds, four steals, and three blocks over 44 minutes.
Kyrie Irving (heel) and German Maxi Kleber (toe) remained on the Mavs’ injury list. For the hosts, Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic missed a second straight game due to personal reasons and French Theo Maledon was inactive.
Porzingis delivers more Christmas presents
Latvian Kristaps Porzingis went for 28 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks, two assists, and one steal paving the way for the Boston Celtics in the win, 126-115, over the Los Angeles Lakers in Crypto.com Arena. Portuguese Neemias Queta threw in one rebound, one assist, and one steal. Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (heel) was ruled out.
With Erik Spoelstra improving to 9-0 on Christmas, the Miami Heat overpowered the Philadelphia 76ers, 119-113, in Kaseya Center. Serbian Nikola Jovic did not leave the bench. For the Sixers, French Nicolas Batum (right hamstring strain) was among the missing players, including Joel Embiid (right ankle sprain). Turkish Furkan Korkmaz did not play.
The New York Knicks beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the Madison Square Garden, opening the NBA on Christmas schedule. Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a 32-point, 13-rebound double-double in a losing effort. In Ball Arena, Nikola Jokic paired 26 points with 14 rebounds fueling the Denver Nuggets to a win against the Golden State Warriors.
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 23-6
2. Milwaukee Bucks 22-8
3. Philadelphia 76ers 20-9
4. Orlando Magic 17-11
5. Miami Heat 18-12
6. New York Knicks 17-12
7. Cleveland Cavaliers 17-13
8. Indiana Pacers 14-14
9. Brooklyn Nets 14-15
10. Chicago Bulls 13-18
11. Atlanta Hawks 12-17
12. Toronto Raptors 11-18
13. Charlotte Hornets 7-20
14. Washington Wizards 5-23
15. Detroit Pistons 2-27
Western Conference
1. Minnesota Timberwolves 22-6
2. Denver Nuggets 22-10
3. Oklahoma City Thunder 18-9
4. Sacramento Kings 17-11
5. Dallas Mavericks 18-12
6. Los Angeles Clippers 17-12
7. New Orleans Pelicans 17-13
8. Houston Rockets 15-12
9. Los Angeles Lakers 16-15
10. Golden State Warriors 15-15
11. Phoenix Suns 14-15
12. Utah Jazz 12-18
13. Memphis Grizzlies 9-19
14. Portland Trail Blazers 7-21
15. San Antonio Spurs 4-24
-Teams ranking first through sixth advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh through tenth compete in the Play-Ins