By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
A sore right ankle of Victor Wembanyama postponed his first game against the Greek Freak, however, the Bucks provided a show.
Damian Lillard scored a season-high 40 points to push his career total over 20,000, Giannis Antetokounmpo had his second triple-double of the season with a career-high in assists (11 p. 14 r. 16 as.) and Milwaukee beat San Antonio 132-119.
“I don’t want to fake downplay it like it’s nothing,” Lillard said. “I know it’s a big deal. It’s a great accomplishment. It’s a rare space to be in.”
Polish forward Jeremy Sochan had nine points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists for the losing side, Turkish forward Cedi Osman added 10 points, and Georgian big man Sandro Mamukelashvili finished the game with three points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
Lillard increased his career point total to 20,034 and became the 51st person in NBA history — and eighth active player — to reach 20,000 points. Lillard, who was playing his 794th career game, became the 17th-fastest player to reach that milestone.
Stephen Curry scored 33 points and rallied the Warriors past the Celtics 132-126 in overtime on a game missed by Latvian Kristaps Portzingis. Croatian forward Dario Saric added 10 points and six rebounds for Golden State which came back after being down by 11 (97-86) at the start of the last quarter.
Portuguese big man Neemias Queta had a double-double (10 p. 10 r.) for Boston which was not enough.
Ja Morant’s suspension ended and he returned to action with a 34-point season and a game-winning floater as time expired in the Memphis Grizzlies‘ 115-113 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Spaniard Santi Aldama added eight points for the winners, while Lithuanian Jonas Valanciuhas had a huge double-double (22 p. 14 r.) for the losing side.
Anfernee Simons had 23 points and seven rebounds, and the Portland Trail Blazers erased a 22-point deficit to beat the Phoenix Suns 109-104 and snap a seven-game losing streak. Belgian rookie Toumani Camara was a starter for Portland with five points and nine rebounds.
Kevin Durant scored 40 and Bosnian Jusug Nurkic contributed nine points and 13 rebounds for the Suns who their fifth in seven games.
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 20-6
2. Milwaukee Bucks 20-7
3. Philadelphia 76ers 18-8
4. Orlando Magic 16-9
5. New York Knicks 15-11
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 15-12
7. Miami Heat 15-12
8. Indiana Pacers 13-12
9. Brooklyn Nets 13-13
10. Atlanta Hawks 11-15
11. Toronto Raptors 11-15
12. Chicago Bulls 11-17
13. Charlotte Hornets 7-17
14. Washington Wizards 4-22
15. Detroit Pistons 2-25
Western Conference
1. Minnesota Timberwolves 20-5
2. Oklahoma City Thunder 17-8
3. Denver Nuggets 18-10
4. Sacramento Kings 16-9
5. Dallas Mavericks 16-10
6. Los Angeles Clippers 16-10
7. New Orleans Pelicans 16-12
8. Los Angeles Lakers 15-12
9. Houston Rockets 13-11
10. Phoenix Suns 14-13
11. Golden State Warriors 13-14
12. Utah Jazz 10-17
13. Memphis Grizzlies 7-19
14. Portland Trail Blazers 7-19
15. San Antonio Spurs 4-22
-Teams ranking first through sixth advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh through tenth compete in the Play-Ins