By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Utah Jazz easily took down the Houston Rockets, 118-91, despite Rudy Gobert’s ejection three minutes in the game. Ricky Rubio notched 13 points and Thabo Sefolosha added five. The latter’s Swiss compatriot Clint Capela got a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double for the losing side at the Vivint Smart Home Arena.
Daniel Theis posted ten points in the Boston Celtics‘ 128-100 victory over the New York Knicks. Guerschon Yabusele got some garbage time action at the TD Garden. Enes Kanter notched a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds for the New Yorkers, Mario Hezonja had three points, Frank Ntilikina didn’t play and Kristaps Porzingis (left knee) remained out.
Injured CJ McCollum wasn’t available, but the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Phoenix Suns, 108-86. Jusuf Nurkic helped out with nine points and 14 rebounds. Starter Elie Okobo scored 11 points for the visitors and also grabbed five rebounds, Dragan Bender added a season-high eight points.
Thursday’s results, the European scorers and the standings:
| Boston Celtics | New York Knicks | 128-100 | Daniel Theis 10pts, 3reb, Guerschon Yabusele 1stl – Enes Kanter 14pts, 11reb, 1ast, 1blk, Mario Hezonja 3pts, 3reb, 2ast |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Phoenix Suns | 106-86 | Jusuf Nurkic 9pts, 14reb, 2ast, 1stl, 1blk – Elie Okobo 11pts, 5reb, 1ast, 1stl, 1blk, Dragan Bender 8pts, 3reb |
| Utah Jazz | Houston Rockets | 118-91 | Ricky Rubio 13pts, 3reb, 6ast, 1stl, Thabo Sefolosha 5pts, 1reb, 1ast, 1stl, Rudy Gobert 2pts, 1reb, 1ast – Clint Capela 12pts, 10reb, 1stl, 2blk |
Eastern Conference
1. Toronto Raptors 21-5
2. Milwaukee Bucks 16-7
3. Philadelphia 76ers 17-9
4. Detroit Pistons 13-9
5. Indiana Pacers 14-10
6. Boston Celtics 14-10
7. Orlando Magic 12-13
8. Charlotte Hornets 11-13
9. Washington Wizards 11-14
10. Miami Heat 9-14
11. Brooklyn Nets 8-18
12. New York Knicks 8-18
13. Cleveland Cavaliers 5-19
14. Chicago Bulls 5-20
15. Atlanta Hawks 5-20
Western Conference
1. Denver Nuggets 17-7
2. Oklahoma City Thunder 16-7
3. Los Angeles Clippers 16-8
4. Golden State Warriors 17-9
5. Los Angeles Lakers 15-9
6. Memphis Grizzlies 14-9
7. Portland Trail Blazers 14-11
8. Dallas Mavericks 12-11
9. Sacramento Kings 12-11
10. Minnesota Timberwolves 13-12
11. Utah Jazz 13-13
12. New Orleans Pelicans 13-13
13. Houston Rockets 11-13
14. San Antonio Spurs 11-14
15. Phoenix Suns 4-21