By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Prevailing in a back-and-forth affair at Capital One Arena, the defending NBA champions Golden State Warriors overpowered Kristaps Porzingis and the Washington Wizards, 127-118. Fueling the late separating surge with six points, Stephen Curry ended up with a total of 41 points as the NBA celebrates MLK Day. Latvian Porzingis went for 32 points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal in the losing effort. Israeli teammate Deni Avdija had six points, five rebounds, and two assists off the bench.
Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas posted a 22-point, 13-rebound double-double but the New Orleans Pelicans lost, 113-103, to the Cleveland Cavaliers. At the winning end, Spanish Ricky Rubio scored two points and Turkish Cedi Osman was held to one point and five minutes. Cavs star Donovan Mitchell exited with a left groin strain.
Action spilling into overtime, the Toronto Raptors escaped the Madison Square Garden with a win, 123-121 (110-110), against the New York Knicks. British O.G. Anunoby chipped in ten points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks but Spanish Juan Hernangomez was limited to one rebound.
Both Swiss Clint Capela (right calf strain) and Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic (left quad soreness) returned to action helping the Atlanta Hawks defeat the Miami Heat, 121-113. Coming off the bench, they combined for 20 points, 12 and eight, respectively.
In the third straight outing without Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee), the Milwaukee Bucks finally made it to the win column, 132-119, over the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum. Jrue Holiday paved the way recording a 35-point, 11-assist double-double.
Opening the NBA on MLK Day 2023 schedule, Jayson Tatum dropped 51 points, including seven triples, as the Boston Celtics beat the Charlotte Hornets, 130-118, to extend their winning streak to seven games.
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