By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo became the first player since the 1985-86 season with five straight 30-15 outings. Threw in 36 points and 20 rebounds on Thursday, also dished out six assists for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 112-101 victory versus the Philadelphia 76ers at the Fiserv Forum. Ersan Ilyasova got in a pair of points and a couple of rebounds from the bench, but Thanasis Antetokounmpo did not play and Dragan Bender was inactive. Furkan Korkmaz ended up with 12 points, three boards and one assist in losing effort.
Nicolo Melli put up 12 points, three dimes, three rebounds and a couple of steals off the bench for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 125-119 victory against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Lauri Markkanen (right hip) remained out for the Bulls, but Adam Mokoka only needed five minutes for his first 15 NBA points. Tomas Satoransky on 4/10 from the field had nine points, three boards, a pair of assists and one steal.
Nikola Vucevic poured a game-high 25 points, also racked up eight boards, three dimes, three blocks and one interception, but the Orlando Magic suffered defeat, 105-103, to the New York Knicks at the Madison Square Garden. Evan Fournier added 16 points, three rebounds and one steal. Europe had one additional starter, Frank Ntilikina, two points, one board and one assist in 14 minutes for the hosts. Ignas Brazdeikis did not leave the bench.
Two points, three rebounds and one interception for Mario Hezonja with the Portland Trail Blazers banking a 125-117 win against the San Antonio Spurs at the Moda Center. Jusuf Nurkic (left leg) is still out. Jaylen Hoard spent his night in G League. To the Spurs, Jakob Poeltl had three points, four boards and two dimes, and Marco Belinelli one assist and one rebound, but Luka Samanic stayed on his G League assignment.
Also, Thabo Sefolosha chipped in with three boards, one steal and one block in limited action for the Houston Rockets in the 121-111 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. Isaiah Hartenstein did not earn playing time. Assigned William Howard was inactive. Same for Kostas Antetokounmpo of the losing side.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 44-7
2. Toronto Raptors 37-14
3. Boston Celtics 35-15
4. Miami Heat 34-16
5. Indiana Pacers 31-20
6. Philadelphia 76ers 31-21
7. Brooklyn Nets 23-27
8. Orlando Magic 22-30
9. Chicago Bulls 19-34
10. Detroit Pistons 19-34
11. Washington Wizards 17-32
12. Charlotte Hornets 16-35
13. New York Knicks 16-36
14. Atlanta Hawks 14-38
15. Cleveland Cavaliers 13-39
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 38-12
2. Los Angeles Clippers 36-15
3. Denver Nuggets 36-16
4. Houston Rockets 33-18
5. Utah Jazz 32-18
6. Oklahoma City Thunder 31-20
7. Dallas Mavericks 31-20
8. Memphis Grizzlies 28-25
9. Portland Trail Blazers 24-28
10. San Antonio Spurs 22-29
11. New Orleans Pelicans 21-31
12. Phoenix Suns 20-31
13. Sacramento Kings 19-31
14. Minnesota Timberwolves 16-35
15. Golden State Warriors 12-40
Photo Credit: Getty Images