By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Kawhi Leonard scored 45 points, James Harden added 20 and the Los Angeles Clippers recovered from blowing a 21-point lead to beat the Utah Jazz 118-101 extending their winning streak to a season-best six games.
French veteran Nicolas Batum finished with 14 points and went 4 of 6 from 3-point range.
On the other hand Utah played without Keyonte George (illness), Finn Lauri Markkanen (knee) and Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic (toe).
Meanwhile, the Rockets got the job done against the Brooklyn Nets (120-96) with Turkish star Alperen Sengun having 20 points, six rebounds and six assists after a two-game absence for Houston.
Thursday results
Dallas Mavericks – Philadelphia 76ers 108-123
Detroit Pistons – Miami Heat 112-118
Brooklyn Nets – Hosuton Rockets 96-120
LA Clippers – Utah Jazz 118-101
Sacramento Kings – Boston Celtics 106-120
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 25-9
2. New York Knicks 23-10
3. Boston Celtics 21-12
4. Toronto Raptors 20-15
5. Philadelphia 76ers 18-14
6. Orlando Magic 19-15
7. Miami Heat 19-15
8. Cleveland Cavaliers 19-16
9. Chicago Bulls 16-17
10. Atlanta Hawks 16-19
11. Milwaukee Bucks 14-20
12. Charlotte Hornets 11-22
13. Brooklyn Nets 10-21
14. Washington Wizards 8-24
15. Indiana Pacers 6-28
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 29-5
2. San Antonio Spurs 24-9
3. Denver Nuggets 23-10
4. Houston Rockets 21-10
5. Los Angeles Lakers 20-11
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 21-13
7. Phoenix Suns 19-14
8. Golden State Warriors 18-16
9. Memphis Grizzlies 15-18
10. Portland Trail Blazers 14-20
11. Los Angeles Clippers 12-21
12. Utah Jazz 12-21
12. Dallas Mavericks 12-23
14. Sacramento Kings 8-26
15. New Orleans Pelicans 8-27
-Top 6 teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference advance to the Play-Ins