By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Wrapping up a back-to-back, the Denver Nuggets beat the shorthanded Phoenix Suns, 117-90, in Ball Arena on Monday.
Pushing his side to 16-11 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season, Nikola Jokic scored 32 points in just under 30 minutes. The Serbian superstar connected 12/17 from the field, including four three-pointers. He also threw in seven assists and two rebounds.
Croatian Dario Saric did not play and Slovenian Vlatko Cancar remained on the injury list, rehabbing from a recent surgery in his left knee.
For the visitors, Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic was held to just under 15 minutes due to foul trouble. He finished with four points, four assists, four rebounds, and one steal.
Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo missing a second straight game with back spasms and Damian Lillard also out, the Milwaukee Bucks made short work of the Chicago Bulls en route to a 112-91 victory in United Center.
Lasting nearly 31 minutes, Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic led the hosts with a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double plus three assists and one steal. Lithuanian Matas Buzelis produced four points, two rebounds, one block, and one assist in 15 minutes.
In Spectrum Center, Serbian Vasilije Micic logged three points and two assists for the Charlotte Hornets in a loss, 114-101, to the Houston Rockets. French Moussa Diabate recorded 14 points with 6/6 field goals but fellow French teammate Tidjane Salaun did not score over 19 minutes.
For the Rockets, Turkish Alperen Sengun went for 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and one block.