By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
It was a big night for the young Serbian Nikola Jovic. The rookie had his first NBA start against Toronto Raptors.
With Bam Adebayo out, coach Eric Spoelstra surprised all with Jovic in the starting lineup as a center. The young Serbian stepped up with 13 points and three rebounds. But it was OG Anunoby’s night to remember.
Britain’s finest led the Raptors with 32 points to a victory 112-104.
Latvia’s Kristaps Pozingis had a big game with 27 points but the Washington Wizards fell short. Oklahoma City Thunder won 121-120 with Aleksej Pokusevski from Serbia adding eight points.
Milwaukee made easy work with Cleveland 113-98. Giannis Antetokounmpo could rest. He had 16 points and 12 rebounds.
In a big-man clash, Jonas Valanciunas from Lituania led the Pelicans with 22 points to a victory over the Chicago Bulls 124:110, Montenegro-born Nikola Vucevic scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
On an ending note. Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic were out last night, and both Dallas and Denver lost their games.
NBA round-up:
Charlotte Hornets-Indiana Pacers 113 – 125 (Maledon 7p)
Orlando Magic – Minnesota Timberwolves 108-126 (Wagner 18p, 6r – Gobert 16p, 8r)
Washington Wizards-Oklahoma City Thunder 120-121(Porzingis 27p, 9r, Avdija 12p, 7r – Pokusevski 8p)
Atlanta Hawks – Boston Celtics 101-126 (Capela 7p, 8r)
Toronto Raptors-Miami Heat 112-104 (Anunoby 32p – Jovic 13p, 3r)
Milwaukee Bucks – Cleveland Cavaliers 113-98(Antetokounmbo 16p, 12r, Ibaka 9p, Mamukelashvili 5- Osman 4p)
New Orleans Pelicans-Chicago Bulls 124-110 (Valanciunas 22p, 7r-Vucevic 14p, 10r, Dragic 6p, 7a)
Dallas Mavericks – Houston Rockets 92-101 (Ntilikina 5p, Bertans 3p- Sengun 14p, 7r, Garuba 12p, 9r)
Denver Nuggets – New York Knicks 103-106 (Hartenstein 3r)
Phoenix Suns – Golden State Warriors 130-119
West conference standings:
1. Portland Trail Blazers 10-4
2. Pheonix Suns 9-5
3. Denver Nuggets 9-5
4. Utah Jazz 10-6
5. New Orleans Pelicans9-6
6. Memphis Grizzlies 9-6
7. Dallas Mavericks 8-6
8. Sacramento Kings 7-6
9. Los Angeles Clippers 8-7
10. Oklahoma City Thunder 7-8
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 7-8
12. Golden State Warriors 6-9
13. San Antonio Spurs 6-9
14. Los Angeles Lakers 3-10
15. Houston Rockets 3-12
East conference standings:
1. Boston Celtics 12-3
2. Milwaukee Bucks 11-3
3. Atlanta Hawks 9-6
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 8-6
5. Toronto Raptors 9-7
6. Indiana Pacers 7-6
7. New YorkKnicks 8-7
8. Washington Wizards 8-7
9. Philadelphia 76ers
10. Miami Heat 7-8
11. Brooklyn Nets 6-9
12. Chicago Bulls 6-9
13. Orlando Magic 4-11
14. Charlotte Hornets 4-12
15. Detroit Pistons 3-12