By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Dallas Mavericks, 129-127, in overtime at the American Airlines Center Thursday. Karl-Anthony Towns registered 20 points leading the way for his side in the final NBA preseason affair for both teams.
Spaniard Ricky Rubio started for seven points and four assists, while reserve Juan Hernangomez did not score but grabbed four rebounds in 16 minutes.
On the losing end, Luka Doncic was 0/6 from the three-point range but still logged in 20 points. German Maxi Kleber scored 14 off the bench. Serbian big Boban Marjanovic missed a chance for the win in regulation ending up with six points. Injured Kristaps Porzingis remained out.
Croatian sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic dialed in five threes en route to 20 points for the Utah Jazz in the win, 125-105, over the Los Angeles Clippers. Rudy Gobert still eligible for a supermax contract extension went for 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one block at the Staples Center.
Two European starters for the hosts, Nicolas Batum combining five points with eight rebounds, and Ivica Zubac at four points and seven rebounds. Serge Ibaka missed the game due to a minor back issue.
Jonas Valanciunas packing a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double helped the Memphis Grizzlies past the Atlanta Hawks, 128-106. The Lithuanian big’s teammate Dillon Brooks scored 24 points. French Killian Tillie missed a second straight exhibition due to a right hamstring strain.
Swiss Clint Capela finished with 13 points and nine rebounds for the losing side. Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic back in the starting unit went for nine points and seven rebounds. Italian forward Danilo Gallinari had eight points coming off the bench.
At the Amway Center, Nikola Vucevic posted a 27-point, 12-rebound double-double, but the Orlando Magic fell to the Charlotte Hornets, 123-115. Fellow European starter, Evan Fournier was held to four points in 30 minutes.
The Detroit Pistons took down the Washington Wizards, 97-86, at the Capital One Arena featuring three European players. Sekou Doumbouya contributed ten points and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk five, but Dzanan Musa did not get on the board. Deividas Sirvydis remained out.
For the Wizards, Deni Avdija played 32 minutes off the bench summing up his effort with seven points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Germans Isaac Bonga and Moritz Wagner both started for ten and four points, respectively. Davis Bertans remained out and Anzejs Pasecniks did not play.
Elsewhere, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Sacramento Kings, 113-105, with Stephen Curry pouring 29 points. Serbian Alen Smailagic battling knee soreness was held out and French Axel Toupane did not get on the court. Serbian Nemanja Bjelica accounted for ten points and eight rebounds in the preseason losing effort.
The Houston Rockets blew out the San Antonio Spurs for the win, 128-106. Christian Wood banked in 27 points, Eric Gordon 23, and James Harden 20. Austrian Jakob Poeltl got two points, three rebounds, and two assists for the Spurs with Croatian Luka Samanic out due to illness not related to COVID-19.
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