By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a 38-point, 18-rebound double-double sending the Milwaukee Bucks to the win, 128-115, against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, the ninth in a row against the Sacramento organization. The Greek Freak ended up with 9/19 field goals, including 1/2 triples. He also produced four assists and one steal in 33 minutes. Going to the free-throw line 24 times was a career-high. Big brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo added two points, four rebounds, and one block coming off the bench.
Nikola Jokic packing 15 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and three steals failed to prevent the Denver Nuggets from being knocked down by the Atlanta Hawks, 123-115. In-form Trae Young punched in a 35-point, 15-assist double-double for the hosts. Swiss Clint Capela added a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Italian reserve Danilo Gallinari registered 12 points. Back to the Nuggets, Facu Campazzo ended up with an NBA-high 16 points. German Isaiah Hartenstein and Slovenian Vlatko Cancar did not score.
The Brooklyn Nets completed their West Coast trip at 5-0 by taking down the Los Angeles Clippers, 112-108, with James Harden logging 37 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. French Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot grabbed a couple of rebounds before picking up a right hip contusion. On the losing end, Croatian Ivica Zubac finished with 13 points, Spanish-Congolese Serge Ibaka with eight, and French Nicolas Batum with three.
The European combination of Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier produced 66 points lifting the Orlando Magic over the Detroit Pistons, 105-96. The Montenegrin big accounted for 37 points and 11 rebounds and his French ally pumped a season-high 29 points. Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk finished with six points and French Sekou Doumbouya with three points plus five rebounds coming off the bench for the Pistons.
French Theo Maledon went for 14 points, three assists, and two rebounds helping the Oklahoma City Thunder overcome the Cleveland Cavaliers, 117-101 and forcing their opponents to a tenth loss in a row. Turkish Cedi Osman, featured in the Cavs first five, was 0/8 from beyond the arc in his six-point effort, also registered six rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in 34 minutes.
The New Orleans Pelicans stormed back from a 24-point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics, 120-115, in overtime. Spanish Willy Hernangomez receiving another start off Steven Adams’ injury, put up six points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Italian teammate Nicolo Melli was held to 1/7 three-pointers and three points. German Daniel Theis recorded five points, six rebounds, and three blocks as the Celtics starting center.
London-born OG Anunoby finished with ten points as the Toronto Raptors extended their winning streak to four games by beating the Philadelphia 76ers, 110-103, at Tampa. Turkish Furkan Korkmaz played just two minutes and missed a couple of threes for the Eastern Conference leaders.
Ricky Rubio got 18 points and six assists, but the Minnesota Timberwolves lost, 103-99, to the New York Knicks leading up to Ryan Saunders’ exit. Another Spanish player, Juan Hernangomez finished with seven points in 11 minutes.
Sunday results:
New Orleans Pelicans – Boston Celtics 120-115 ΟΤ (108-108)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Oklahoma City Thunder 101-117
New York Knicks – Minnesota Timberwolves 103-99
Orlando Magic – Detroit Pistons 105-96
Toronto Raptors – Philadelphia 76ers 110-103
Atlanta Hawks – Denver Nuggets 123-115
Los Angeles Clippers – Brooklyn Nets 108-112
Milwaukee Bucks – Sacramento Kings 128-115
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Philadelphia 76ers 20-11
2. Brooklyn Nets 20-12
3. Milwaukee Bucks 18-13
4. Indiana Pacers 15-14
5. Toronto Raptors 16-15
6. Boston Celtics 15-15
7. New York Knicks 15-16
8. Charlotte Hornets 14-15
9. Chicago Bulls 13-16
10. Atlanta Hawks 13-17
11. Miami Heat 13-17
12. Orlando Magic 13-18
13. Washington Wizards 10-17
14. Cleveland Cavaliers 10-21
15. Detroit Pistons 8-22
Western Conference
1. Utah Jazz 24-6
2. Los Angeles Lakers 22-9
3. Los Angeles Clippers 22-10
4. Phoenix Suns 19-10
5. Portland Trail Blazers 18-11
6. San Antonio Spurs 16-11
7. Denver Nuggets 16-14
8. Golden State Warriors 16-15
9. Memphis Grizzlies 13-13
10. Dallas Mavericks 13-15
11. New Orleans Pelicans 13-17
12. Oklahoma City Thunder 12-18
13. Sacramento Kings 12-18
14. Houston Rockets 11-17
15. Minnesota Timberwolves 7-24
Photo Credit: Getty Images