By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo packed a 32-point, 12-rebound double-double to go along with his six dimes and one steal at the Staples Center, but the Milwaukee Bucks lost, 113-103, to the Los Angeles Lakers with LeBron James pouring a game-high 37 points and Anthony Davis adding 30 points of his own. The Greek Freak sank 9/15 twos but only 1/6 threes in 36 minutes on Friday evening. Teammates Ersan Ilyasova and Thanasis Antetokounmpo did not leave the bench during the potential 2020 NBA Finals preview between the leaders of the Eastern and Western Conferences. Special game anyway for the reigning MVP and his older brother that gained some family time with Kostas Antetokounmpo despite the 22-year-old forward being inactive and remaining on his G League assignment with the South Bay Lakers.
Another productive outing for Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic for the Dallas Mavericks that defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 121-96, at the American Airlines Center. The Latvian big scored a game-high 26 points to go along with his eleven boards, four assists, four blocks, and three interceptions. Doncic punched in 21 points, six dimes, four rebounds and a couple of interceptions. Fellow starter, Maxi Kleber racked up nine points, four boards, a pair of assists, a couple of rejections and one steal. Boban Marjanovic also notched nine points and pulled down one rebound, needed only four minutes. On the other side, starter Jonas Valanciunas posted a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double and one dime. Reserve Marko Guduric earned four minutes for one board and one assist.
Tenth double-double in thirteen 2019-20 NBA Regular Season matches for Nikola Vucevic as his Orlando Magic secure victory, 132-118, opposite to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. The 29-year-old Montenegrin center went for a team-high 28 points making 12 out of his 21 field goal attempts in 36 minutes. Additionally bagged in twelve rebounds, four dimes, and one steal. Evan Fournier (right elbow) was sidelined and might be looking at an extended stay on the Magic’ injury list. As for the hosts, lone European Juan Hernangomez started and lasted 30 minutes despite foul trouble for eight points, eight boards, one assist, and one interception.
Sixth double-double in seven games for Ricky Rubio thanks to 13 points and ten dimes also posted four rebounds and a couple of interceptions for the Phoenix Suns in the 127-117 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. Fellow European starter, Dario Saric poured 24 points with 9/13 field goals, added eight boards, three steals, and one rejection. Elie Okobo got in three dimes and one rebound off the bench. For the visitors, Mario Hezonja had three points, three assists and one rejection is losing effort with Jusuf Nurkic (left leg) out and Jaylen Hoard on his G League assignment.
Double-double for Domantas Sabonis as well. His team-high 24 points paired by 12 boards helped the Indiana Pacers beat the Chicago Bulls, 108-102, at the United Center. He also notched three assists and one interception. Teammate Goga Bitadze finished with four points, one board, one steal and one rejection in seven minutes of reserve action. Naz Mitrou-Long spent his night in G League. The hosts featured a couple of starters, Tomas Satoransky at six points, eight dimes, seven rebounds, and one steal, and Lauri Markkanen at three points, five boards, one steal, and one rejection, but Adam Mokoka was held to Windy City Bulls action.
Game-high 22 points by Danilo Gallinari for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 126-103 victory versus the New York Knicks at the Madison Square Garden. Against his former team shot 7/13 including 3/6 beyond the arc, dished out a couple of dimes and grabbed one rebound in 28 minutes. Further European aid in the form of Dennis Schroder with 16 points, five boards, three assists and a pair of interceptions off the bench. Coming off the bench as well but landing on the wrong side of the outcome, Frank Ntilikina accounted for seven points in ten minutes. Ignas Brazdeikis remained on his G League assignment.
Big win for the Utah Jazz, 99-94, over the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden. Short of dominating Rudy Gobert helped with nine points, seven boards, three blocks and a couple of dimes, while fellow European starter Bojan Bogdanovic chipped in eight points, four rebounds, and one dime. Daniel Theis started for 12 points, nine boards, three assists, one interception and one block in losing effort. Enes Kanter had two points and one rebound, and Javonte Green three boards, one assist and one interception, both in five minutes. Teammate Vincent Poirier was sent to the Maine Red Claws before the game.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot banked 19 points, a couple of dimes and one rebound helping the Brooklyn Nets past the San Antonio Spurs, 139-120, at the Barclays Center. Fellow bench player, Rodions Kurucs finished with one point, one board and one assist. However, Dzanan Musa remained on his G League assignment. Luka Samanic got 12 minutes but did not score instead posted three assists and a pair of boards for the losing side. Marco Belinelli (illness) and Jakob Poeltl (right knee) sat out.
Three European reserves for the Washington Wizards in the 118-112 win versus the Atlanta Hawks at the Capital One Arena. Davis Bertans led the pack with 17 points, three boards and one assist, Moritz Wagner added ten points, four rebounds, one dime, and one steal, and Isaac Bonga seven points and one rejection. Ian Mahinmi and Anzejs Pasecniks stayed on the bench though. Clint Capela (right heel) remained on the visitors’ injury list.
The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Miami Heat, 110-104, at the Smoothie King Center. Nicolo Melli contributed for the win with nine points, six dimes and three rebounds in 24 minutes of action coming off the bench. Another reserve, Goran Dragic gathered 15 points, three assists and one board for the losing side.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. x-Milwaukee Bucks 53-10
2. x-Toronto Raptors 44-18
3. Boston Celtics 42-20
4. Miami Heat 40-23
5. Indiana Pacers 38-25
6. Philadelphia 76ers 38-25
7. Brooklyn Nets 28-34
8. Orlando Magic 28-35
9. Washington Wizards 23-39
10. Charlotte Hornets 21-41
11. Chicago Bulls 21-42
12. Detroit Pistons 20-43
13. New York Knicks 19-44
14. Atlanta Hawks 19-45
15. Cleveland Cavaliers 17-45
Western Conference
1. x-Los Angeles Lakers 48-13
2. Los Angeles Clippers 43-19
3. Denver Nuggets 42-20
4. Utah Jazz 40-22
5. Houston Rockets 39-22
6. Oklahoma City Thunder 39-24
7. Dallas Mavericks 39-25
8. Memphis Grizzlies 31-32
9. Portland Trail Blazers 28-38
10. Sacramento Kings 27-35
11. New Orleans Pelicans 27-38
12. San Antonio Spurs 26-35
13. Phoenix Suns 25-38
14. Minnesota Timberwolves 19-43
15. Golden State Warriors 14-49
x-clinched a playoffs spot
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