NBA results and rankings: Avdija shines with a triple-double, Markkanen’s 35 are not enough

By the Eurohoops team/ [email protected]

Victor Wembanyama missed another match for the San Antonio Spurs due to a knee injury, and his team suffered a home defeat.

Deni Avdija shone as Portland Trail Blazers earned a 115-110 road victory over the Spurs at Frost Bank Center. The Israeli forward delivered another All-Star caliber performance, recording a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to lead Portland.

With another outstanding outing, Avdija became the second player in franchise history to record multiple 25-point triple-doubles.

Another European also stands out, but without the same result. Lauri Markkanen dominated offensively, although Utah Jazz fell 123-114 on the road against the Warriors of the Golden State.

The Finnish star scored 35 points and grabbed six rebounds, shooting 15 of 27 from the field. Svi Mykhailiuk added 10 points for Utah, while on the other side, Dutch center Quentin Post had a solid performance with 15 points and five rebounds.

Nikola Vučević also impressed in a losing effort, as the Chicago Bulls fell 112-99 against the Charlotte Frelons. The Montenegrin center finished with 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, while Matas Buzelis added 17 points and eight rebounds.

Elsewhere, Darko Rajaković Toronto Raptors recorded a convincing 134-117 victory over the Atlanta Falconsimproving to 21-15 in the Eastern Conference standings. RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram scored 29 points each, while Georgia big man Sandro Mamukelashvili added 13 points and 12 rebounds, dropping just two assists for a triple-double. Vit Krejčí had 13 points for Atlanta, while Zaccharie Risacher finished with eight points and seven rebounds.

Despite another good night from European players across the league, it was an American star who ultimately stole the show. Jaylen Brown tied his career high with 50 points in the Celtics‘ Dominant victory on the road from 146 to 115 against the Los Angeles Clippers. Brown also added five assists and three rebounds, shooting an efficient 18 of 26 from the field. Luka Garza contributed with 11 points and six rebounds, while Neemias Queta narrowly missed a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds.

NBA results and rankings:

Miami Heat – Minnesota Timberwolves 115-125
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 119-130
Toronto Raptors – Atlanta Falcons 134-117
Chicago Bulls – Charlotte Frelons 99-112
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 110-115
Dallas Mavericks – Houston Rockets 110-104
Warriors of the Golden State – Utah Jazz 123-114
Los Angeles Clippers – Boston Celtics 115-146

Eastern Conference:

1. Detroit Pistons 25-9
2. New York Knicks 23-12
3. Boston Celtics 22-12
4. Toronto Raptors 21-15
5. Philadelphia 76ers 19-14
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 20-16
7. Magic of Orlando 19-16
8. Miami Heat 19-16
9. Chicago Bulls 17-18
10. Atlanta Falcons 17-20
11. Milwaukee Bucks 15-20
12. Charlotte Hornets 12-23
13. Brooklyn fillets 10-22
14. Wizards of Washington 9-24
15. Indiana Pacers 6-29

Western Conference:

1. Oklahoma City Thunder 30-5
2. San Antonio Spurs 25-10
3. Denver Nuggets 23-11
4. Houston Rockets 21-11
5. Los Angeles Lakers 21-11
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 22-13
7. Phoenix Suns 20-14
8. Golden State Warriors 19-17
9. Portland Trail Blazers 16-20
10. Memphis Grizzlies 15-19
11. Dallas Mavericks 13-23
12. Los Angeles Clippers 12-22
13. Utah Jazz 12-22
14. Kings of Sacramento 8-27
15. New Orleans Pelicans 8-28