By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Charlotte Hornets overcame 43 points produced by Giannis Antetokounmpo to defeat the defending NBA champions, Milwaukee Bucks, 114-106.
The Greek Freak made 11/20 field goals, including 3/6 from beyond the arc on Saturday. In addition, he tallied 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal. His brother Thanasis logged one rebound and one steal over four minutes. Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili had five points, three rebounds, and two assists. As for the winning side, Lithuanian Arnoldas Kulboka remained on a G League assignment.
The second European outburst on NBA Saturdays, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis poured a career-high 42 points behind 18/22 field goals leading the Indiana Pacers to the win, 125-113, versus the Utah Jazz. On the opposite end, Croatian Bojan Bogdanovic finished with 21 points and six rebounds. Missing for their respective sides, Georgian Goga Bitadze and French Rudy Gobert were on the league’s health and safety protocols.
Coming off a career-high 41 points on Thursday, French Evan Fournier was forced to the sidelines with a left thigh contusion as the New York Knicks lost to the Boston Celtics, 99-75. German Dennis Schroder ended up with six points, three assists, and two rebounds, while Enes Kanter Freedom had two points and seven rebounds, and Spanish Juancho Hernangomez was limited a fruitless two-minute showing.
The streaking Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 123-108. French Killian Tillie and Spanish Santi Aldama combined for 16 points, nine and seven, respectively, but French Yves Pons entered the COVID-19 protocols. For the Clippers, French Nicolas Batum had nine points and Croatian Ivica Zubac eight points, but Serge Ibaka did not score and German Isaiah Hartenstein remained out with a sprained left ankle.
In his latest start giving off an impressive stat line, Turkish Omer Yurtseven went for seven points, 16 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. He helped the Miami Heat take down the NBA overall standings leaders, Phoenix Suns, 123-100. Croatian Dario Saric recovering from the torn ACL in the right knee suffered in the 2021 NBA Finals remained sidelined for the Suns.
French Killian Hayes generated five points, three assists, one rebound, and one steal for the Detroit Pistons in the 97-92 victory against the Orlando Magic. German brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner combined for 17 points, nine and eight respectively, with Lithuanian Ignas Brazdeikis staying on the bench.
Saturday results:
Los Angeles Clippers – Memphis Grizzlies 108-123
Charlotte Hornets – Milwaukee Bucks 114-106
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 97-92
Indiana Pacers – Utah Jazz 125-113
Boston Celtics – New York Knicks 99-75
Phoenix Suns – Miami Heat 100-123
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Chicago Bulls 26-10
2. Brooklyn Nets 24-13
3. Miami Heat 25-15
4. Milwaukee Bucks 26-16
5. Philadelphia 76ers 22-16
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 22-17
7. Toronto Raptors 19-17
8. Charlotte Hornets 21-19
9. Washington Wizards 19-20
10. Boston Celtics 19-21
11. New York Knicks 19-21
12. Atlanta Hawks 17-21
13. Indiana Pacers 15-25
14. Detroit Pistons 8-30
15. Orlando Magic 7-33
Western Conference
1. Phoenix Suns 30-9
2. Golden State Warriors 29-9
3. Utah Jazz 28-12
4. Memphis Grizzlies 27-14
5. Dallas Mavericks 21-18
6. Los Angeles Lakers 21-19
7. Denver Nuggets 19-18
8. Minnesota Timberwolves 19-20
9. Los Angeles Clippers 19-21
10. San Antonio Spurs 15-23
11. Sacramento Kings 16-25
12. Portland Trail Blazers 14-24
13. New Orleans Pelicans 14-25
14. Oklahoma City Thunder 13-25
15. Houston Rockets 11-29
Photo Credit: Getty Images