By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Coming from injury Victor Wembanyama stayed just 26 minutes on the court, but it was enough.
With Keldon Johnson scoring 27 points and the French young star having a double-double (16 p., 14 r.) plus four blocks, the San Antonio Spurs got the easy 107-91 home win over the Lakers.
Luka Doncic finished the night with a triple-double, scoring 38 points, plus 10 assists, and 10 rebounds, which were not enough for the guests, who played without Austin Reaves and LeBron James.
Israeli Denny Avdija had one of the biggest games of the night with a career best 41 points, and the Blazers beat the Houston Rockets 103-102. Playing without Alperen Sengun the Rockets almost escaped with the win, but a tip in by Tari Eason couldn’t beat the buzzer after a missed shot by Kevin Durant who scored in total 37 points.
Giannis Antetokounmpo also enjoyed a big night with 34 points and 10 rebounds, but the Golden State Warriors behind 31 points by Steph Curry prevailed 120-113.
Lauri Markkanen had 29 points and 13 rebounds, however Shai Gilgeous Alexander scored 49 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to the 129-125 overtime win over the Jazz and the Finn forward.
Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic (20 p. 16 r.) and Croatian Ivica Zubac (22 p. 11 r.) had both double-doubles but the Bulls and the Clippers lost to the Pistons and the Knicks respectively.
Wednesday results
Charlotte Hornets – Toronto Raptors 96-97
Detroit Pistons – Chicago Bulls 108-93
Philadelphia 76ers – Washington Wizards 131-110
Boston Celtics – Denver Nuggets 110-114
Atlanta Hawks – New Orleans Pelicans 117-100
Brooklyn Nets – Orlando Magic 103-104 (OT)
New York Knicks – LA Clippers 123-111
Memphis Grizzlies – Phoenix Suns 98-117
Oklahoma City Thunder – Utah Jazz 129-125 (OT)
San Antonio Spurs – Los Angeles Lakers 107-91
Golden State Warriors – Milwaukee Bucks 120-113
Portland Trail Blazers – Houston Rockets 103-102
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 28-9
2. New York Knicks 24-13
3. Boston Celtics 23-13
4. Toronto Raptors 23-15
5. Philadelphia 76ers 20-15
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 21-17
7. Orlando Magic 20-17
8. Miami Heat 20-17
9. Atlanta Hawks 18-21
10. Chicago Bulls 17-20
11. Milwaukee Bucks 16-21
12. Charlotte Hornets 13-24
13. Brooklyn Nets 11-23
14. Washington Wizards 10-26
15. Indiana Pacers 6-31
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 31-7
2. San Antonio Spurs 26-11
3. Denver Nuggets 25-12
4. Los Angeles Lakers23-12
5. Minnesota Timberwolves 24-13
6. Houston Rockets 22-12
7. Phoenix Suns 21-15
8. Golden State Warriors 20-18
9. Portland Trail Blazers 18-20
10. Memphis Grizzlies 16-20
12. Dallas Mavericks 14-23
12. Los Angeles Clippers 13-23
13. Utah Jazz 12-24
14. Sacramento Kings 8-29
15. New Orleans Pelicans 8-31
-Top 6 teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference advance to the Play-Ins