By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a 32-point, 17-rebound double-double, dished out seven assists and blocked a couple of shots as well guiding the Milwaukee Bucks to the 128-123 win against the Boston Celtics at the Fiserv Forum on Thursday evening. Missed all five of his three-pointers and half of his 20 free throws, but his 35th double-double of the 2019-20 NBA Regular Season was key for the hosts to hold on after seeing their 27-point lead nearly disappear.
Reserve Ersan Ilyasova went for eight points and nine rebounds. However Thanasis Antetokounmpo and assigned Dragan Bender were inactive. Daniel Theis notched a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double, also rejected a pair of shots and added one steal in losing effort. Enes Kanter had nine points, two blocks and one board. Javonte Green finished with two points, one rebound and one interception. Vincent Poirier did not leave the bench though.
More European double-doubles
Ricky Rubio with 25 points and 13 assists combined with eight boards, four interceptions and one block powered the Phoenix Suns to the 121-98 win over the New York Knicks at the Madison Square Garden. Starting Dario Saric went for 11 points, six rebounds, three dimes and one steal. Reserve Elie Okobo for three points, a pair of interceptions, one board and one assist. Frank Ntilikina had two points, six assists, two interceptions, one rejection and one board from the bench in losing effort, but Ignas Brazdeikis was not part of the squad.
The Denver Nuggets went into overtime at the Chase Center to defeat the Golden State Warriors, 134-131. Nikola Jokic posted a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double, also notched eight assists and a couple of blocks. The Serbian big made 10/20 from the field, but turned the ball over eight times as well. Juan Hernangomez made one three-pointer in limited action and Vlatko Cancar stayed on the bench. Lone European of the Warriors, Alen Smailagic did not play either.
Also after overtime, the New Orleans Pelicans got the best of the Utah Jazz, 138-132, at the Smoothie King Center. Starter Nicolo Melli chipped in with seven points behind 3/6 field goals in 26 minutes of action and four boards. Bojan Bogdanovic was not enough for the “W” despite 26 points, four dimes and three boards, while Rudy Gobert posted a 17-point, 14-rebound double-double alongside four assists and three blocks.
Also in action was Ivica Zubac, His eight points, eight boards, one assist and one rejection helped the Los Angeles Clippers take down the Orlando Magic, 122-95, at the Staples Center. Nikola Vucevic scored a team-high 22 points, tallied nine rebounds, four dimes and one steal as well for the visitors. Evan Fournier poured 15 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out a pair of assists.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 37-6
2. Miami Heat 28-12
3. Boston Celtics 27-13
4. Toronto Raptors 26-14
5. Indiana Pacers 25-15
6. Philadelphia 76ers 26-16
7. Orlando Magic 20-22
8. Brooklyn Nets 18-22
9. Chicago Bulls 15-27
10. Detroit Pistons 15-27
11. Charlotte Hornets 15-29
12. Washington Wizards 13-27
13. Cleveland Cavaliers 12-29
14. New York Knicks 11-31
15. Atlanta Hawks 9-32
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 33-8
2. Denver Nuggets 29-12
3. Los Angeles Clippers 29-13
4. Utah Jazz 28-13
5. Houston Rockets 26-14
6. Dallas Mavericks 26-15
7. Oklahoma City Thunder 23-18
8. Memphis Grizzlies 19-22
9. San Antonio Spurs 17-22
10. Portland Trail Blazers 18-24
11. Phoenix Suns 17-24
12. New Orleans Pelicans 16-26
13. Minnesota Timberwolves 15-25
14. Sacramento Kings 15-26
15. Golden State Warriors 9-34
Photo Credit: Getty Images