By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Luka Doncic delivered 27 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks got their first win of the 2021-22 season by beating the Toronto Raptors 103 – 95 on the road.
The Mavericks‘ reaction after getting routed by the Atlanta Hawks in the season opener arrived in the second half when Luka and his teammates outplayed the Toronto side 58 – 44. Doncic had 12 of his points in the third quarter.
Kristaps Porzingis finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The Milwaukee Bucks were also to recover from a blowout loss (to the Miami Heat) and they managed to do so against the San Antonio Spurs. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to lead the reigning champions to a 121 – 111 away win in Texas.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo brought a rebounding boost to the Bucks off the bench with seven boards apart from four points. For the Spurs, Jakob Poeltl had 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Ricky Rubio and the Cleveland Cavaliers landed the Atlanta Hawks hard after the latter’s impressive opening night against the Mavericks.
Rubio scored a game-high 23 points while also posting eight assists and six rebounds as the Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 101 – 95 to get their first victory of the season.
Lauri Markkanen faced some shooting struggles with 3-15 from the field but made the free throws that secured the win for the Cavs. He overall had 12 points and eight rebounds.
Bogdan Bogdanovic didn’t get into rhythm, finishing with five points on 2-7. Cedi Osman faced similar problems with 2-9 shots and five points as well.
Two losses to begin the season were enough, Domantas Sabonis probably said. The Lithuanian big man had 17 points and 12 rebounds as the Indiana Pacers downed the Miami Heat 102 – 91 in overtime, greatly improving their defense from their first two games.
The rest of Saturday’s NBA results and Euro-scorers:
Detroit Pistons – Chicago Bulls 82 – 97 (Nikola Vucevic 15 points, 19 rebounds)
Portland Trail Blazers – Phoenix Suns 134 – 105 (Jusuf Nurkic nine points, 12 rebounds)
Minnesota Timberwolves – New Orleans Pelicans 89 – 96 (Jonas Valanciunas 20 points, 19 rebounds)
Los Angeles Clippers – Memphis Grizzlies 114 – 120 (Isaiah Hartenstein 11 points, Ivica Zubac six points, eight rebounds)