By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Deni Avdija had 33 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds in three quarters, and the Portland Trail Blazers routed the Utah Jazz 137-117, the fifth win of the team in the last six games.
Avdija didn’t play in the final period, as the game was already decided, and he needed rest.
Finn Lauri Markkanen scored 22 points for the Jazz, and Bosnian big man Jusuf Nurkic had 21 points and 12 boards after missing two games with a sprained toe on his left foot.
This was one of the most uneventful games on a crazy night, which included three games decided on one shot with Kevin Durant making the big three for the 100-97 road win of Houston in Phoenix, despite missing Alperen Sengun. Also, the Clippers beat the Warriors on the road by a point (103-102) with Steve Kerr getting ejected and Steph Curry fouling out.
League leaders Oklahoma City Thunder took the night off and were beaten at home by the Hornets almost by 30 points (124-97) and the Pistons also beat by 31 (121-90) the Knicks in New York, as Cade Cunningham had 29 points and 13 assists.
Monday results
New York Knicks – Detroit Pistons 90-121
Chicago Bulls – Boston Celtics 101-115
Atlanta Hawks – Toronto Raptors 100-118
Phoenix Suns – Houston Rockets 97-100
Charlotte Hornets – Oklahoma City Thunder 124-97
Philadelphia 76ers – Denver Nuggets 124-125 (OT)
Golden State Warriiors- LA Clippers 102-103
Utah Jazz – Portland Trail Blazers 117-137
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 27-9
2. Boston Celtics 23-12
3. New York Knicks 23-12
4. Toronto Raptors 22-15
5. Philadelphia 76ers 19-15
6. Miami Heat 20-16
7. Orlando Magic 20-16
8. Cleveland Cavaliers 20-17
9. Chicago Bulls 17-19
10. Atlanta Hawks 17-21
11. Milwaukee Bucks 16-20
12. Charlotte Hornets 13-23
13. Brooklyn Nets 11-22
14. Washington Wizards 9-25
15. Indiana Pacers 6-30
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 30-7
2. San Antonio Spurs 25-10
3. Denver Nuggets 24-12
4. Los Angeles Lakers 22-11
5. Houston Rockets 22-11
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 23-13
7. Phoenix Suns 21-15
8. Golden State Warriors 19-18
9. Portland Trail Blazers 17-20
10. Memphis Grizzlies 15-20
11. Los Angeles Clippers 13-22
12. Dallas Mavericks 13-23
13. Utah Jazz 12-23
14. Sacramento Kings 8-28
15. New Orleans Pelicans 8-29
-Top 6 teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference advance to the Play-Ins