By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The back-to-back MVP and Denver Nuggets leader, Nikola Jokic registered 29 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in the loss, 131-112, to the Boston Celtics Friday. In foul trouble, he lasted 30 minutes. Slovenian teammate Vlatko Cancar missed his only shot in a brief showing in TD Garden. Jayson Tatum had 34 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in the fifth straight win for the Celtics.
In more NBA Regular Season action, Croatian sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic went for 25 points but the Detroit Pistons were defeated by the New York Knicks, 121-112. Coming off the bench, Killian Hayes logged 11 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and three steals. The home side got six points and 12 rebounds from German starter Isaiah Hartenstein, and three points from French reserve Evan Fournier.
Missing Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks were outmatched by the San Antonio Spurs, 111-93. All three off the bench, Serge Ibaka paired 11 points with nine rebounds, Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili scored three points, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo grabbed three rebounds. Austrian Jakob Poeltl posted a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Polish Jeremy Sochan chipped in ten points in a European starting duo for the Spurs.
Serbian youngster Aleksej Pokusevski dropped 14 points, five rebounds, and four blocks as the Oklahoma City Thunder got the win, 132-113, over the Toronto Raptors. On the opposite end, British OG Anunoby scored 13 points and Spanish Juan Hernangomez put in nine points.
Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis posted a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double plus six assists and one steal helping the Sacramento Kings earn the win, 120-114, versus the slumping Los Angeles Lakers. He connected on 9/15 from the field.
More results and European performances:
Orlando Magic – Phoenix Suns 114-97 (Franz Wagner 17pts – Dario Saric 3reb)
Memphis Grizzlies – Minnesota Timberwolves 114-103 (Santi Aldama 12pts – Rudy Gobert 15pts)
Golden State Warriors – Cleveland Cavaliers 106-101 (Cedi Osman 1reb, 1ast)
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 10-2
2. Boston Celtics 9-3
3. Cleveland Cavaliers 8-4
4. Atlanta Hawks 8-4
5. Toronto Raptors 7-6
6. New York Knicks 6-6
7. Washington Wizards 6-6
8. Chicago Bulls 6-7
9. Indiana Pacers 5-6
10. Brooklyn Nets 5-7
11. Philadelphia 76ers 5-7
12. Miami Heat 5-7
13. Orlando Magic 4-9
14. Charlotte Hornets 3-10
15. Detroit Pistons 3-10
Western Conference
1. Utah Jazz 10-3
2. Portland Trail Blazers 9-3
3. Memphis Grizzlies 9-4
4. Phoenix Suns 8-4
5. Denver Nuggets 8-4
6. Los Angeles Clippers 7-5
7. Dallas Mavericks 6-5
8. New Orleans Pelicans 6-6
9. San Antonio Spurs 6-7
10. Sacramento Kings 5-6
11. Oklahoma City Thunder 5-7
12. Golden State Warriors 5-7
13. Minnesota Timberwolves 5-8
14. Houston Rockets 2-10
15. Los Angeles Lakers 2-10
Photo Credit: Getty Images