By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
No LeBron James, no problem for the Los Angeles Lakers, thanks to Luka Dončić.
The Slovenian star shined in a 128–117 win over the Indiana Pacers, leading the way as the Lakers improved to 38–25, good for sixth place in the Western Conference standings.
Dončić already had 29 points at halftime and finished the game with 44 points, nine rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks, knocking down seven shots from beyond the arc.
Victor Wembanyama also had a great game as the San Antonio Spurs erased a 25-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 116–112.
Wembanyama finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, recording his first win over Kawhi Leonard, who had 30 points and nine rebounds for the losing side.
Nikola Jokić scored 38 points for the Denver Nuggets, but it wasn’t nearly enough as the New York Knicks cruised past the hosts in Ball Arena, handing them a heavy 142–103 defeat.
The Serbian center shot 14-of-21 from the field and added eight rebounds and five assists, but received little support from his teammates. Jamal Murray left the game early with an ankle injury, finishing with 12 points in 17 and a half minutes.
OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 34 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Pacome Dadiet added 11 points for the visitors.
The Houston Rockets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 106–99, behind Alperen Şengün’s 28 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Toumani Camara had 16 points and six rebounds for Portland.
The Miami Heat defeated the Charlotte Hornets 128–120 on the road, with Pelle Larsson scoring 11 points and Kasparas Jakucionis adding six.
Last but not least, the Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 120–100 in Jayson Tatum’s return, with the star forward contributing 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 27 minutes.
Portuguese center Neemias Queta also made a strong impact with 16 points and 15 rebounds, while Luka Garza added 10 and Hugo González six points, as Nikola Vučević suffered an injury after less than two minutes on the court.
Boston Celtics – Dallas Mavericks 120-100
Charlotte Hornets – Miami Heat 120-128
Houston Rockets – Portland Trail Blazers 106-99
Denver Nuggets – New York Knicks 103-142
Phoenix Suns – New Orleans Pelicans 118-116
San Antonio Spurs – Los Angeles Clippers 116-112
Los Angeles Lakers – Indiana Pacers 128-117
Eastern Conference
- Detroit Pistons 45–16
- Boston Celtics 42–21
- New York Knicks 41–23
- Cleveland Cavaliers 39–24
- Toronto Raptors 35–27
- Philadelphia 76ers 34–28
- Miami Heat 35–29
- Orlando Magic 33–28
- Atlanta Hawks 32–31
- Charlotte Hornets 32–32
- Milwaukee Bucks 26–35
- Chicago Bulls 26–37
- Washington Wizards 16–46
- Brooklyn Nets 15–47
- Indiana Pacers 15–48
Western Conference
- Oklahoma City Thunder 49–15
- San Antonio Spurs 46–17
- Minnesota Timberwolves 40–23
- Houston Rockets 39–23
- Denver Nuggets 39–25
- Los Angeles Lakers 38–25
- Phoenix Suns 36–27
- Golden State Warriors 32–30
- LA Clippers 30–32
- Portland Trail Blazers 30–34
- Memphis Grizzlies 23–38
- Dallas Mavericks 21–42
- New Orleans Pelicans 20–45
- Utah Jazz 19–44
- Sacramento Kings 14–50