By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo got 24 points, 12 rebounds and six assists to help the Milwaukee Bucks crush the Boston Celtics 135 – 102. The Greek Freak and Bobby Portis combined for 20 consecutive points during an impressive 25-0 run in the first half as their team led 75 – 38 at the break.
“There was a respect-slash-fear factor also that’s very important for this team, that we have to go out there and play at our best today,” Antetokounmpo said. Giannis was previously critical of the defensive effort of his team but he was pleased with the performance vs. the Celtics. Boston had played Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves while the Bucks were coming from two days off.
“Hopefully we can keep this up not just against the Boston Celtics, not just when we have two days off or not when we have not played well,” Giannis added. “Even if we’ve played well and even if we’ve played bad, be able to come in the game and play with the same urgency and with the same focus and with the same energy.”
Svi Mykhaliuk had nine points for the Celtics while Kristaps Porzingis was held to six points on 3-9 shots. Thanasis Antetokounmpo scored six points for the Bucks.
The rest of Thursday’s NBA results and notable Euro performers:
Cleveland Cavaliers – Brooklyn Nets 111 – 102
Oklahoma City Thunder – Portland Trail Blazers 139 – 77
Dallas Mavericks – New York Knicks 128 – 124
Los Angeles Lakers – Phoenix Suns 109 – 127
Standings (via NBA.com):
Eastern Conference
| TEAM | W | L | WIN% | GB | CONF | DIV | HOME | ROAD | OT | LAST10 | STREAK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1
Boston Celtics |
29 | 9 | .763 | — | 22-6 | 10-1 | 18-0 | 11-9 | 2-3 | 7-3 | L 1 |
| 2
Milwaukee Bucks |
26 | 12 | .684 | 3 | 21-10 | 6-5 | 17-4 | 9-8 | 1-1 | 5-5 | W 1 |
| 3
Philadelphia 76ers |
23 | 13 | .639 | 5 | 17-10 | 5-3 | 13-6 | 10-7 | 0-2 | 5-5 | L 3 |
| 4
Indiana Pacers |
22 | 15 | .595 | 6.5 | 19-11 | 9-2 | 13-8 | 9-7 | 0-0 | 8-2 | W 2 |
| 5
Cleveland Cavaliers |
22 | 15 | .595 | 6.5 | 14-9 | 3-3 | 13-8 | 9-7 | 2-0 | 7-3 | W 4 |
| 6
New York Knicks |
22 | 16 | .579 | 7 | 16-9 | 4-3 | 11-4 | 11-12 | 0-0 | 6-4 | L 1 |
| 7
Miami Heat |
21 | 16 | .568 | 7.5 | 15-10 | 7-0 | 10-7 | 11-9 | 0-0 | 6-4 | L 1 |
| 8
Orlando Magic |
21 | 16 | .568 | 7.5 | 15-9 | 5-2 | 13-5 | 8-11 | 1-1 | 5-5 | L 1 |
| 9
Chicago Bulls |
18 | 21 | .462 | 11.5 | 12-15 | 3-5 | 13-9 | 5-12 | 4-2 | 6-4 | W 3 |
| 10
Brooklyn Nets |
16 | 22 | .421 | 13 | 13-12 | 1-4 | 10-9 | 6-13 | 0-2 | 3-7 | L 2 |
| 11
Atlanta Hawks |
15 | 21 | .417 | 13 | 10-17 | 4-4 | 6-9 | 9-12 | 2-1 | 4-6 | W 1 |
| 12
Toronto Raptors |
15 | 23 | .395 | 14 | 9-17 | 0-9 | 9-9 | 6-14 | 1-1 | 4-6 | L 2 |
| 13
Charlotte Hornets |
8 | 27 | .229 | 19.5 | 7-17 | 3-5 | 4-13 | 4-14 | 1-1 | 1-9 | L 3 |
| 14
Washington Wizards |
6 | 31 | .162 | 22.5 | 4-25 | 1-9 | 3-13 | 3-18 | 0-0 | 1-9 | L 6 |
| 15
Detroit Pistons |
3 | 35 | .079 | 26 | 3-20 | 1-7 | 2-16 | 1-19 | 0-2 | 1-9 | L 6 |
Western Conference
| TEAM | W | L | WIN% | GB | CONF | DIV | HOME | ROAD | OT | LAST10 | STREAK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1
Minnesota Timberwolves |
26 | 11 | .703 | — | 18-6 | 4-1 | 14-2 | 12-9 | 1-1 | 5-5 | L 1 |
| 2
Oklahoma City Thunder |
26 | 11 | .703 | — | 15-8 | 6-2 | 15-5 | 11-6 | 2-0 | 8-2 | W 3 |
| 3
Denver Nuggets |
26 | 13 | .667 | 1 | 16-10 | 2-4 | 15-4 | 11-9 | 0-0 | 7-3 | L 1 |
| 4
LA Clippers |
24 | 13 | .649 | 2 | 18-10 | 6-3 | 16-4 | 8-9 | 0-1 | 7-3 | W 2 |
| 5
Sacramento Kings |
23 | 14 | .622 | 3 | 15-12 | 5-4 | 13-7 | 10-7 | 3-0 | 6-4 | W 2 |
| 6
New Orleans Pelicans |
23 | 15 | .605 | 3.5 | 16-13 | 4-5 | 12-8 | 11-7 | 0-1 | 7-3 | W 2 |
| 7
Dallas Mavericks |
23 | 16 | .590 | 4 | 17-13 | 6-4 | 12-8 | 11-8 | 0-0 | 6-4 | W 1 |
| 8
Phoenix Suns |
20 | 18 | .526 | 6.5 | 13-14 | 4-7 | 11-11 | 9-7 | 2-0 | 6-4 | W 1 |
| 9
Houston Rockets |
18 | 18 | .500 | 7.5 | 14-10 | 7-2 | 15-6 | 3-12 | 0-3 | 4-6 | L 2 |
| 10
Los Angeles Lakers |
19 | 20 | .487 | 8 | 14-13 | 5-3 | 13-7 | 6-13 | 1-1 | 4-6 | L 1 |
| 11
Utah Jazz |
19 | 20 | .487 | 8 | 11-15 | 4-5 | 12-5 | 7-15 | 2-1 | 8-2 | W 3 |
| 12
Golden State Warriors |
17 | 20 | .459 | 9 | 11-16 | 3-6 | 11-11 | 6-9 | 1-2 | 4-6 | L 2 |
| 13
Memphis Grizzlies |
14 | 23 | .378 | 12 | 11-19 | 6-6 | 3-13 | 11-10 | 1-1 | 6-4 | W 3 |
| 14
Portland Trail Blazers |
10 | 27 | .270 | 16 | 5-21 | 1-5 | 5-11 | 5-16 | 2-2 | 3-7 | L 2 |
| 15
San Antonio Spurs |
6 | 30 | .167 | 19.5 | 5-19 | 1-7 | 2-15 | 4-15 | 1-1 | 2-8 | W 1 |