By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Israeli Deni Avdija put up at least 25 points for a fifth consecutive showing in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, reaching 32 with 12/18 from the field, helping the Portland Trail Blazers top the New Orleans Pelicans, 125-117, in Smoothie King Center. Belgian fellow starter, Toumani Camara, chipped in 13 points, with French reserves stretching from Sidy Cissoko’s two points to Rayan Rupert’s five fruitless minutes. On the wrong end of Wednesday’s contest, Croatian Karlo Matkovic registered five points.
With the Atlanta Hawks dominating the Sacramento Kings, 133-100, in Golden 1 Center, French Zaccharie Risacher poured in 15 points, Latvian Kristaps Porzingis got 13 points, and Czech Vit Krejci threw in 11 points, but Serbian Nikola Djurisic (right elbow sprain) and Spanish Eli Ndiaye remained out. For the hosts, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis ended up with 12 points, German Dennis Schroder had nine points, and French Maxime Raynaud got seven points, but Croatian Dario Saric did not play.
Despite missing several key players, the Detroit Pistons beat the Chicago Bulls, 124-113, to extend a winning streak to eight games. Swedish Bobi Klintman lasted nearly 14 minutes and scored six points. For the visitors in Little Caesars Arena, Lithuanian Matas Buzelis produced a 21-point, 14-rebound double-double, and Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic got six points, but French Noa Essengue was on a G League assignment and put up 28 points with the Windy City Bulls.
Turkish Alperen Sengun paired a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double with six assists as the Houston Rockets routed the Washington Wizards, 135-112, in Toyota Center. Swiss Clint Capela added two points off the bench. On the losing side, French Alex Sarr punched in a 25-point, 11-rebound double-double, Swiss Kyshawn George went for 16 points, and Serbian Tristan Vukcevic got three points, but French Bilal Coulibaly (left calf contusion) stayed on the injury list.
Bosnian Luka Garza and Portuguese Neemias Queta put in 14 and 13 points for the Boston Celtics in a comfortable win, 131-95, over the Memphis Grizzlies in TD Garden. Spanish Hugo Gonzalez was limited to one rebound, with British Amari Williams and Ukrainian Max Shulga out of the lineup. For the team coached by Finnish Tuomas Iisalo, which missed injured Ja Morant, Spanish Santi Aldama tallied 14 points.
Without Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (left knee patellar tendinopathy), the Milwaukee Bucks lost, 111-100, to the Charlotte Hornets in Spectrum Center. His brothers went from Thanasis producing two points and two blocks in four minutes to Alex remaining inactive. On the French imports of the winning team, Moussa Diabate reached seven points and 13 rebounds, with Tidjane Salaun out of the lineup.
In Kaseya Center, the Miami Heat fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 130-116. Italian Simone Fontecchio registered 13 points off the bench, with Swedish starter Pelle Larsson at nine points and Serbian reserve Nikola Jovic at two points. In contrast, Russian Vladislav Goldin and Lithuanian Kasparas Jakucionis did not play.
In a clash of teams lacking European players, the Phoenix Suns took down the Dallas Mavericks, 123-114, in American Airlines Center.
Wednesday results
Charlotte Hornets – Milwaukee Bucks 111-100
Detroit Pistons – Chicago Bulls 124-113
New York Knicks – Orlando Magic 107-124
Boston Celtics – Memphis Grizzlies 131-95
Miami Heat – Cleveland Cavaliers 116-130
Houston Rockets – Washington Wizards 135-112
New Orleans Pelicans – Portland Trail Blazers 117-125
San Antonio Spurs – Golden State Warriors 120-125
Dallas Mavericks – Phoenix Suns 114-123
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 121-92
Sacramento Kings – Atlanta Hawks 100-133
Los Angeles Clippers – Denver Nuggets 116-130
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pitons 10-2
2. Cleveland Cavaliers 8-4
3. New York Knicks 7-4
4. Philadelphia 76ers 7-4
5. Miami Heat 7-5
6. Atlanta Hawks 7-5
7. Milwaukee Bucks 7-5
8. Toronto Raptors 6-5
9. Chicago Bulls 6-5
10. Orlando Magic 6-6
11. Boston Celtics 6-7
12. Charlotte Hornets 4-7
13. Indiana Pacers 1-10
14. Brooklyn Nets 1-10
15. Washington Wizards 1-11
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 12-1
2. Denver Nuggets 9-2
3. San Antonio Spurs 8-3
4. Houston Rockets 7-3
5. Los Angeles Lakers 8-4
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 7-4
7. Phoenix Suns 7-5
8. Portland Trail Blazers 6-5
9. Golden State Warriors 7-6
10. Utah Jazz 4-7
11. Memphis Grizzlies 4-9
12. Los Angeles Clippers 3-8
13. Dallas Mavericks 3-9
14. Sacramento Kings 3-9
15. New Orleans Pelicans 2-9
-Top 6 teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference advance to the Play-Ins