By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Bogdan Bogdanovic forced overtime with a three-pointer and the Atlanta Hawks went on to defeat the Boston Celtics, 123-122, in State Farm Arena on Thursday. The 31-year-old Serbian guard tallied 24 points behind 9/19 field goals, seven rebounds, five assists, and one steal over 43 minutes. A fourth consecutive win in the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season, including two versus the C’s this week, all but secures a berth in the Play-Ins.
Listed as questionable to play with lower back soreness, Dejounte Murray bounced back with a career-high 44 points, including all 11 points scored by the team coached by Quin Snyder in the extra period. “It is all right here. It is in me. I am just built for these moments. I am just a confident guy,” he commented on a go-ahead jumper in the final second of overtime.
Besides Bogdanovic, Swiss Clint Capela and Czech Vit Krejci also started for the shorthanded Hawks. Capela produced a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double and also threw in three assists and two blocks over 33 minutes. Lasting 35 minutes, Krejci added two points, three rebounds, and one assist.
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For the Eastern Conference winners, Latvian Kristaps Porzingis made 8/20 field goals in a 20-point outing alongside seven rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and one steal. Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk stayed on the bench and Portuguese Neemias Queta was on assignment with the Maine Celtics.
Giannis falls to Zion: “He’s awesome”
In Smoothie King Center, the New Orleans Pelicans took down the Milwaukee Bucks, 107-100. Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas put up a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double plus one block, one steal, and one assist over 23 minutes. Zion Williamson tallied a team-high 28 points, helping his side extend the push for a direct ticket to the 2024 Playoffs.
“He’s awesome,” Giannis Antetokounmpo reviewed matching up with Williamson, “He’s unbelievable. He plays within his strengths every single time. Plays to win. Plays defense. Understands the game better. It is always good to see guys that they’re really good, being healthy, being out there, and trying to help their team win.”
Making 15/22 from the field and held to 5/11 from the charity stripe, the Greek Freak ended up with a game-high 35 points alongside 14 rebounds, and four assists. His brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo and experienced Italian forward Danilo Gallinari did not play.
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. q-Boston Celtics 57-16
2. Milwaukee Bucks 46-27
3. New York Knicks 44-28
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 44-29
5. Orlando Magic 42-30
6. Indiana Pacers 41-33
7. Miami Heat 39-33
8. Philadelphia 76ers 39-34
9. Chicago Bulls 35-38
10. Atlanta Hawks 34-39
11. Brooklyn Nets 28-45
12. e-Toronto Raptors 23-50
13. e-Charlotte Hornets 18-54
14. e-Washington Wizards 14-59
15. e-Detroit Pistons 12-61
Western Conference
1. Denver Nuggets 51-22
2. Minnesota Timberwolves 50-22
3. Oklahoma City Thunder 50-22
4. Los Angeles Clippers 45-27
5. New Orleans Pelicans 45-28
6. Dallas Mavericks 43-29
7. Phoenix Suns 43-30
8. Sacramento Kings 42-30
9. Los Angeles Lakers 41-32
10. Golden State Warriors 38-34
11. Houston Rockets 37-35
12. e-Utah Jazz 29-44
13. e-Memphis Grizzlies 24-49
14. e-Portland Trail Blazers 19-54
15. e-San Antonio Spurs 17-56
q-qualified for Playoffs
e-eliminated from Playoffs
-Teams ranking first through sixth advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh through tenth compete in the Play-Ins