Franz Wagner outduels Bilal Coulibaly, overtime wins for Yabusele and Sabonis
· EurohoopsThe exciting action across the NBA Sundays schedule spreads to several European standouts
By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
German Franz Wagner put in a team-high 23 points as the Orlando Magic beat the Washington Wizards, 121-94, in Kia Center. In an NBA Sundays showing, he added seven assists, four rebounds, and one steal.
On the wrong end, French Bilal Coulibaly bounced back from averaging 9.5 points over the last two outings with 20 points, six rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and one steal.
“He is playing for Germany and I am playing for France,” the 20-year-old French winger envisioned a rivalry lasting over the next years between NBA and international action, “I like to play against him.”
Starting for the Magic, German Tristan da Silva had 11 points and Georgian Goga Bitadze posted a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double. Coming off the bench, Moritz Wagner threw in 16 points.
In the starting lineup of the Wizards, French Alex Sarr scored 11 points. Limited to a reserve role, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas went for eight points.
In Wells Fargo Center, Guerschon Yabusele put up 20 points and eight rebounds, helping the Philadelphia 76ers outlast the Charlotte Hornets, 107-105, in overtime. “I am just happy to have the win. This was the most important thing,” the 28-year-old French forward downplayed a new NBA-high in points.
More French NBA players for the Hornets as Tidjane Salaun went for two points, nine rebounds, and two assists as a starter, and Moussa Diabate had four points, 11 rebounds, and one assist as a reserve. Serbian Vasilije Micic did not get playing time.
Overtime action in Footprint Center as well and a win, 127-118, for the Sacramento Kings over the Durant-less Phoenix Suns. Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis chipped in a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double plus five assists. On losing end, Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic went from being listed as questionable due to soreness in his left ankle to being ruled out for the remainder of the game at halftime after grabbing seven rebounds in 15 minutes.
NBA Sundays games
Detroit Pistons – Houston Rockets 99-101
Milwaukee Bucks – Boston Celtics 107-113
Indiana Pacers – New York Knicks 132-121
Orlando Magic – Washington Wizards 121-94
Minnesota Timberwolves – Miami Heat 94-95
Oklahoma City Thunder – Golden State Warriors 116-127
Philadelphia 76ers – Charlotte Hornets 107-105 OT (97-97)
Denver Nuggets – Dallas Mavericks 122-120
Phoenix Suns – Sacramento Kings 118-127 OT (111-111)
Portland Trail Blazers – Memphis Grizzlies 89-134
Los Angeles Lakers – Toronto Raptors 123-103
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 11-0
2. Boston Celtics 9-2
3. Indiana Pacers 5-5
4. Orlando Magic 5-6
5. New York Knicks 4-5
6. Miami Heat 4-5
7. Brooklyn Nets 4-6
8. Charlotte Hornets 4-6
9. Chicago Bulls 4-6
10. Detroit Pistons 4-7
11. Atlanta Hawks 4-7
12. Washington Wizards 2-6
13. Philadelphia 76ers 2-7
14. Milwaukee Bucks 2-8
15. Toronto Raptors 2-9
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 8-2
2. Golden State Warriors 8-2
3. Phoenix Suns 8-2
4. Denver Nuggets 7-3
5. Memphis Grizzlies 7-4
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 6-4
7. Sacramento Kings 6-4
8. Houston Rockets 6-4
9. Los Angeles Clippers 6-4
10. Los Angeles Lakers 6-4
11. Dallas Mavericks 5-5
12. San Antonio Spurs 4-6
13. New Orleans Pelicans 3-7
14. Portland Trail Blazers 3-8
15. Utah Jazz 2-7
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins