By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Resuming action in the 2024 NBA Preseason following two losses against the Boston Celtics in Abu Dhabi, the Denver Nuggets were defeated, 118-114, by the Phoenix Suns in Ball Arena on Sunday.
Serbian Nikola Jokic went for 21 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists, and one steal over 29 minutes. Coming off the bench and lasting 17 minutes, Croatian Dario Saric had six points, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Slovenian Vlatko Cancar was held to one rebound and one assist in two minutes. For the winning side, Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic (left middle finger) remained sidelined.
The team coached by Michael Malone will host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Ball Arena on Tuesday, before wrapping up the Preseason schedule against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Target Center on Friday.
Queta, Poeltl in double-double mode
The Celtics went to 4-0 in the Preseason with a 115-111 victory versus the Toronto Raptors in TD Garden. Entering the starting unit, Portuguese Neemias Queta posted a 12-point, 15-rebound double-double to go with five assists and one block. Ukrainian Dmytro Skapintsev threw in one point, two rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. For the team coached by Serbian Darko Rajakovic, Austrian Jakob Poeltl produced a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves were overpowered by the New York Knicks, 115-110, in Madison Square Garden. French Rudy Gobert paired nine points with ten rebounds and Bosnian Luka Garza combined six points with five rebounds. For the hosts, British O.G. Anunoby piled up 19 points and German Ariel Hukporti grabbed two rebounds.
Connecting 18 three-pointers, the Golden State Warriors pulled away to defeat the Detroit Pistons, 111-93, in Chase Center. Dutch rookie Quinten Post was responsible for one of the triples. For the visitors, Italian Simone Fontecchio had three points and British Tosan Evbuomwan scored two points. Swedish Bobi Klintman (right calf contusion) remained unavailable.
Avdija debuts
In Golden 1 Center, the Portland Trail Blazers dominated the Sacramento Kings, 105-85. Belgian Toumani Camara tallied 13 points, Israeli Deni Avdija put in five points in his Preseason debut, and French Rayan Rupert added three points. On the losing end, Ukrainian Alex Len finished with 13 points and Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis went for nine points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks.
Featuring Serbian Nikola Jovic in the starting lineup, the Miami Heat edged out the New Orleans Pelicans, 101-99, in Kaseya Center. Jovic chipped in three points and three rebounds. Looking to keep the lead down the stretch, Swedish Pelle Larsson put in six points.