By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic just missed a triple-double as the Denver Nuggets claimed the away win, 136-100, versus the Milwaukee Bucks highlighting NBA Sundays.
The Serbian reigning NBA MVP logged 18 points making 7/9 field goals to go along with 15 assists, nine rebounds, three steals, and one block in 28 minutes. Slovenian teammate Vlatko Cancar (foot) remained out. As for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA MVP in 2019 and 2020, he scored 22 out of his 29 points in the first half of the Regular Season fixture, and additionally put up nine rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. His brother Thanasis and Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili went scoreless in brief appearances.
German Franz Wagner recorded 18 points, including the go-ahead bucket for the Orlando Magic in the 110-108 victory versus the Dallas Mavericks. His brother Moritz chipped in 14 more points with Lithuanian Ignas Brazdeikis staying on the bench. Their side overcame the latest triple-double registered by Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. Latvian Kristaps Porzingis (knee) was sidelined, Serbian Boban Marjanovic did not play, and French Frank Ntilikina did not score, but German starter Maxi Kleber had six points.
The streaking Atlanta Hawks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 129-121. Starting center Swiss Clint Capela produced 15 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic helped off the bench packing ten points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Italian Danilo Gallinari added four points, five rebounds, two steals, and one assist. French Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot did not get on the court. On the opposite end, French two-way forward Sekou Doumbouya was inactive.
Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic posted a 24-point, 14-rebound double-double alongside three assists, one steal, and one block leading the Chicago Bulls past the Portland Trail Blazers, 130-116. He banked in 11/15 field goals. Montenegrin compatriot Marko Simonovic remained on assignment playing for the Windy City Bulls in the G League. Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic was held to 11 points, four rebounds, and one assist in the losing effort.
Croatian Ivica Zubac generated seven points, ten rebounds, three assists, and one block for the Los Angeles Clippers beating the Charlotte Hornets, 115-90, on the road. German Isaiah Hartenstein put in seven points, six rebounds, two blocks, and one assist. Serge Ibaka had six points and two rebounds. French Nicolas Batum (back) was out. The two-way player for the Hornets, Lithuanian Arnoldas Kulboka was inactive.
At Target Center, the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame Croatian Bojan Bogdanovic logging 23 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal to beat the Utah Jazz, 126-106. French Rudy Gobert (calf) remained out. A left knee injury forced an early exit for veteran forward Joe Ingles. He will have an MRI Monday.
French Killian Hayes contributed four points, six assists, and two rebounds as the Detroit Pistons secured the win, 115-105, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Turkish Cedi Osman finished with 13 points for the losing team featuring both Finnish Lauri Markkanen (ankle) and Spanish Ricky Rubio (knee) on the injury list.
With Croatian Dario Saric (knee) still recovering, the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns took down the San Antonio Spurs, 115-110. Spanish Juancho Hernangomez tallied two points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal with Austrian teammate Jakob Poeltl (back) unavailable.
Sunday results:
Atlanta Hawks – Los Angeles Lakers 129-121
Charlotte Hornets – Los Angeles Clippers 90-115
Chicago Bulls – Portland Trail Blazers 130-116
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 115-105
Milwaukee Bucks – Denver Nuggets 100-136
Orlando Magic – Dallas Mavericks 110-108
Minnesota Timberwolves – Utah Jazz 126-106
Phoenix Suns – San Antonio Spurs 115-110
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Miami Heat 32-18
2. Chicago Bulls 31-18
3. Philadelphia 76ers 30-19
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 30-20
5. Milwaukee Bucks 31-21
6. Brooklyn Nets 29-20
7. Charlotte Hornets 28-23
8. Toronto Raptors 24-23
9. Boston Celtics 26-25
10. Atlanta Hawks 24-25
11. Washington Wizards 23-26
12. New York Knicks 23-27
13. Indiana Pacers 18-33
14. Detroit Pistons 12-37
15. Orlando Magic 11-40
Western Conference
1. Phoenix Suns 40-9
2. Golden State Warriors 37-13
3. Memphis Grizzlies 35-17
4. Utah Jazz 30-21
5. Denver Nuggets 28-21
6. Dallas Mavericks 29-22
7. Los Angeles Clippers 26-26
8. Minnesota Timberwolves 25-25
9. Los Angeles Lakers 24-27
10. Portland Trail Blazers 21-29
11. San Antonio Spurs 19-32
12. New Orleans Pelicans 18-31
13. Sacramento Kings 18-33
14. Oklahoma City Thunder 14-34
15. Houston Rockets 14-35
Photo Credit: Getty Images