By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A few months after being eliminated by the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA playoffs and merely two days after a poor three-point showing, the Milwaukee Bucks destroyed the Heat, 144-97, sinking an NBA record 29 three-pointers. Tuesday’s win was the largest road win in franchise history, while the 12 players dialing in at least one three made out yet another NBA record.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was held at nine points ending his streak of consecutive double-digit scoring outings at 108 Regular Season games. He was the only Mike Budenholzer player without a three to his name. His brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo registered five points, five rebounds, and four assists in 20 minutes. Slovenian Goran Dragic, on the losing end, had two points.
Nikola Jokic set a Denver Nuggets record surpassing Fat Lever in the list of players with the most triple-doubles in franchise history, but his 26 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds shaping his 44th career triple-double did not prevent the loss, 125-115, to the Sacramento Kings. German teammate Isaiah Hartenstein punched in three points and Slovenian Vlatko Cancar stayed on the bench. Serbian Nemanja Bjelica filed in 12 points for the Kings prevailing at home off a late run.
The Orlando Magic improved to 4-0 with Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic posting a 28-point, 10-rebound double-double for the away win, 118-107, versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. French teammate and fellow starter, Evan Fournier finished with 14 points. The losing side featured a couple of European reserves, Theo Maledon at seven points and Aleksej Pokusevski at two.
Serge Ibaka rocked 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two blocks for the Los Angeles Clippers in the home win, 124-101, over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ivica Zubac with 12 points and Nicolas Batum with seven added on the European contribution. Ricky Rubio produced 12 points and Juan Hernangomez two on the Spanish connection of the hosts.
The Chicago Bulls beat the Washington Wizards, 115-107, overcoming a triple-double by Russell Westbrook in a battle of previously winless sides. Czech Tomas Satoransky got ten points and Finnish Lauri Markkanen nine points. On the other end, Davis Bertans highlighted the European production with 20 points, while Deni Avdija settled with nine points. Isaac Bonga did not score, Mo Wagner and Anzejs Pasecniks did not play.
In-form Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis registered 14 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists but the Indiana Pacers fell at home, 116-111, to the Boston Celtics. German Daniel Theis retaining a starting role finished with four points and four rebounds. Jayson Tatum led the way for the visitors with a 27-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Joel Embiid returned to action with a 29-point, 16-rebound double-double guiding the Philadelphia 76ers to the home victory, 100-93, against the Toronto Raptors. European teammate Furkan Korkmaz will be out for two weeks due to injury, while Vincent Poirier stayed on the bench. British OG Anunoby went for 20 points in defeat and Ukrainian Alex Len had two points off the bench.
The Golden State Warriors rallied for the away win, 116-106, over the Detroit Pistons. Stephen Curry poured 31 points and Andrew Wiggins followed with 27. French Sekou Doumbouya put in nine points and Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk six points for the losing side, but starting Killian Hayes failed to score and Deividas Sirvydis did not leave the bench.
Croatian Dario Saric provided ten points in 14 minutes for the Phoenix Suns in the victory, 111-86, over the New Orleans Pelicans. Italian Nicolo Melli ended up with five points and eight rebounds, and Spanish Willy Hernangomez with one point and four rebounds for the losing side.
Julius Randle sporting a 28-point, 12-rebound, 11-assist triple-double lifted the New York Knicks over the Cleveland Cavaliers, 95-86, on the road. Reserve French point guard Frank Ntilikina put in six points. Turkish Cedi Osman also finished with six points but as a starter for the hosts.
Monday results:
Cleveland Cavaliers – New York Knicks 86-95
Detroit Pistons – Golden State Warriors 106-116
Indiana Pacers – Boston Celtics 111-116
Philadelphia 76ers – Toronto Raptors 100-93
Washington Wizards – Chicago Bulls 107-115
Miami Heat – Milwaukee Bucks 97-144
Oklahoma City Thunder – Orlando Magic 107-118
Los Angeles Clippers – Minnesota Timberwolves 124-101
Phoenix Suns – New Orleans Pelicans 111-86
Sacramento Kings – Denver Nuggets 125-115
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Orlando Magic 4-0
2. Atlanta Hawks 3-0
3. Cleveland Cavaliers 3-1
4. Indiana Pacers 3-1
5. Philadelphia 76ers 3-1
6. Milwaukee Bucks 2-2
7. Brooklyn Nets 2-2
8. New York Knicks 2-2
9. Boston Celtics 2-2
10. Charlotte Hornets 1-2
11. Miami Heat 1-2
12. Chicago Bulls 1-3
13. Toronto Raptors 1-3
14. Washington Wizards 0-4
15. Detroit Pistons 0-4
Western Conference
1. Phoenix Suns 3-1
2. Sacramento Kings 3-1
3. Los Angeles Clippers 3-1
4. Utah Jazz 2-1
5. San Antonio Spurs 2-1
6. Portland Trail Blazers 2-1
7. Los Angeles Lakers 2-2
8. New Orleans Pelicans 2-2
9. Minnesota Timberwolves 2-2
10. Golden State Warriors 2-2
11. Dallas Mavericks 1-2
12. Oklahoma City Thunder 1-2
13. Memphis Grizzlies 1-2
14. Denver Nuggets 1-3
15. Houston Rockets 0-2
Photo Credit: Getty Images