By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A stellar performance for Lauri Markkanen in the 2023 NBA Preseason.
After averaging 13.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per contest so far, the Finnish forward, fresh off completing military service and competing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup for his country, produced 26 points and nine rebounds on Saturday evening. The Utah Jazz beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 138-133, in Delta Center.
Markkanen, 26, was the best performer of the exhibition contest. Besides making 9/12 field goals, he tallied one assist and one block lasting 25 minutes. Italian Simone Fontecchio threw in four points, Turkish Omer Yurtseven had three points, and Croatian Luka Samanic scored two points.
For the Blazers, Belgian forward Toumani Camara registered 13 points, five rebounds, two blocks, two assists, and one steal over 25 points. French Rayan Rupert got three rebounds and two assists in eight minutes.
Evan Fournier scores 15 points
Returning from Abu Dhabi and beating the Dallas Mavericks twice, the Minnesota Timberwolves topped the New York Knicks, 121-112, in Madison Square Garden. French center Rudy Gobert chipped in four points and nine rebounds over 22 minutes.
Shooting 6/10 from the field, French swingman Evan Fournier had 15 points in a losing effort. German teammate Isaiah Hartenstein recorded seven points and four rebounds.
Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic dropped nine points for the Atlanta Hawks in the win, 110-105, against the New Orleans Pelicans in Gateway Center Arena. For the Pels, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas finished with seven points.
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