By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following the 54 points in the loss to the Indiana Pacers, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 35 points in the losing effort against the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
The Milwaukee Bucks lost, 112-97, in Amway Center. The second straight defeat was attached to missing Damian Lillard (sore left calf). The Freak ended up with 15/22 field goals in his 35-point effort alongside ten rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and two blocks over 37 minutes. His brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo registered two assists and one block in ten minutes.
The European brothers of the Magic combined for 43 points in the win on NBA Saturdays. Franz Wagner delivered 24 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Moritz Wagner produced 19 points, four rebounds, one steal, and one assist. Georgian Goga Bitadze added two points, nine rebounds, two steals, and two assists. British Admiral Schofield did not suit up.
Fifth 20+ scoring showing for Kristaps Porzingis
The Boston Celtics enjoyed another positive outing from Kristaps Porzingis, leading to the home win, 117-94, versus the Toronto Raptors. In his fifth production over 20 points in the 2023-24 Regular Season, the Latvian big dropped 21 points alongside seven rebounds and three assists. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk was held to five fruitless minutes and Portuguese Neemias Queta (right foot) remained on the injury list.
In a losing effort in TD Garden, German Dennis Schroder logged 14 points, four assists, one steal, and one rebound, Austrian Jakob Poeltl had 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists, and British O.G. Anunoby finished with eight points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal. All three European players started for Serbian play-caller Darko Rajakovic.
In State Farm Arena, the Miami Heat overpowered the Atlanta Hawks, 117-109, with Serbian Nikola Jovic staying on the bench. For the hosts, Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic had 15 points behind five triples, three rebounds, and one assist, and Swiss starter Clint Capela went for eight points, 12 rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.
Draymond Green was ejected after pushing Donovan Mitchell and the Golden State Warriors lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 118-110, in Chase Center. The lone European display was connected to Croatian Dario Saric with five points, five rebounds, one block, and one assist for the losing side.
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Philadelphia 76ers 7-1
2. Boston Celtics 7-2
3. Indiana Pacers 6-3
4. Miami Heat 5-4
5. Atlanta Hawks 5-4
6. Orlando Magic 5-4
7. Milwaukee Bucks 5-4
8. New York Knicks 4-4
9. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-5
10. Toronto Raptors 4-5
11. Brooklyn Nets 4-5
12. Charlotte Hornets 3-5
13. Chicago Bulls 3-6
14. Washington Wizards 2-6
15. Detroit Pistons 2-8
Western Conference
1. Denver Nuggets 8-1
2. Dallas Mavericks 7-2
3. Minnesota Timberwolves 6-2
4. Houston Rockets 5-3
5. Golden State Warriors 6-4
6. Oklahoma City Thunder 5-4
7. Sacramento Kings 4-4
8. Los Angeles Lakers 4-5
9. Phoenix Suns 4-5
10. New Orleans Pelicans 4-5
11. Los Angeles Clippers 3-5
12. Portland Trail Blazers 3-5
13. San Antonio Spurs 3-6
14. Utah Jazz 3-7
15. Memphis Grizzlies 1-8
-Teams ranking first through sixth advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh through tenth compete in the Play-Ins
Photo Credit: Getty Images