By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In a comfortable lead through the second half, the Utah Jazz overpowered the Los Angeles Lakers, 131-119, in Delta Center. A game-high of 32 points by Lauri Markkanen pushed his side 13-40 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season. Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk stayed on the bench.
“We got to rest. For me, it’s more a mental rest than anything else,” Luka Doncic talked about heading to the All-Star break after putting up 16 points in his first loss as a Laker, “I’m excited about this break and I can’t wait to go back to playing.”
Lasting 23 minutes, the Slovenian sensation added four assists, four rebounds, one block, and one steal. Debuting with the new-look franchise, Ukrainian Alex Len tallied four points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one block in just under 22 minutes. German Maxi Kleber (right foot surgery) remained sidelined.
Overcoming the latest absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo (left calf strain), the Milwaukee Bucks edged out the Minnesota Timberwolves, 103-101, in Target Center. After posting a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double, French Rudy Gobert expressed his frustration with the referees. “When it’s not consistent, that’s when I get mad,” he described his reactions to the calls on Wednesday.
“When I get called for a push-off, I see Bobby Portis pushing off a couple minutes later, and it doesn’t get called, it doesn’t make any sense. That’s all we ask. Consistency,” he continued, “So we can understand, are we playing physical, are we not? Are we very by the book tonight? The game can be played a lot of different ways. It’s gotta be the same for both teams. That’s all we ask.”
More European action in American Airlines Center with Dutch Quinten Post resurfacing in the starting lineup but limited to 11 minutes with five points and four rebounds. He was also held to a loss with Kyrie Irving scoring 42 points and lifting the Dallas Mavericks over the Golden State Warriors, 111-107.