By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Milwaukee Bucks had a great chance to bounce back at Crypto.com Arena after two straight losses, as the Los Angeles Lakers were missing several key players.
Without LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Dorian Finney-Smith, the Lakers were easy prey for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite Damian Lillard sitting out, the Bucks cruised to a 118-89 victory in California.
Giannis put on a show, scoring 28 points with seven rebounds and four assists in just 29 minutes, shooting 9-15 from the field and 10-12 from the free throw line. The depleted Lakers had no answer for him.
With so many players unavailable, Alex Len made the most of his opportunity, nearly recording a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. However, the biggest story for the Lakers was LeBron’s son, Bronny James, who led the team with a career-high 17 points and five assists.
Elsewhere in California, the Sacramento Kings hosted the Chicago Bulls and fell 128-116. In a battle of European centers, Nikola Vučević dominated Jonas Valančiūnas.
Montenegrin center finished the match just two assists shy of a triple-double with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Interestingly, only Artis Gilmore and Michael Jordan have recorded more 20-10 games for the Bulls. Valančiūnas had six points and five rebounds for the losing team, while his compatriot Matas Buzelis contributed five points for the Bulls.
The Charlotte Hornets stunned the New York Knicks at home with a 115-98 victory. Jusuf Nurkić chipped in nine points and seven rebounds, while Moussa Diabaté added seven points and five boards.
On the other side, British swingman OG Anunoby had a strong offensive outing with 25 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns followed with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Darko Rajaković’s Toronto Raptors nearly shocked the Golden State Warriors, but Steve Kerr’s team prevailed at Chase Center with a 117-114 win.
Dutch center Quinten Post scored 18 points for the Warriors, while Jimmy Butler recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds. Post had an intriguing European battle under the rim with Austrian Jakob Pöltl, who scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Raptors.
NBA Scores:
Charlotte Hornets – New York Knicks 115-98
Indiana Pacers – Brooklyn Nets 105-99 (OT)
Golden State Warriors – Toronto Raptors 117-114
Sacramento Kings – Chicago Bulls 116-128
Los Angeles Lakers – Milwaukee Bucks 89-118
Eastern Conference
- Cleveland Cavaliers 56-13
- Boston Celtics 50-19
- New York Knicks 43-26
- Indiana Pacers 40-29
- Milwaukee Bucks 39-30
- Detroit Pistons 39-31
- Atlanta Hawks 33-36
- Orlando Magic 32-38
- Chicago Bulls 30-40
- Miami Heat 29-40
- Toronto Raptors 24-46
- Philadelphia 76ers 23-46
- Brooklyn Nets 23-47
- Charlotte Hornets 18-51
- Washington Wizards 15-53
Western Conference
- Oklahoma City Thunder 57-12
- Houston Rockets 45-25
- Denver Nuggets 44-26
- Los Angeles Lakers 43-26
- Memphis Grizzlies 43-27
- Golden State Warriors 41-29
- LA Clippers 39-30
- Minnesota Timberwolves 40-31
- Sacramento Kings 35-34
- Phoenix Suns 33-37
- Dallas Mavericks 33-37
- Portland Trail Blazers 31-39
- San Antonio Spurs 29-39
- New Orleans Pelicans 19-51
- Utah Jazz 16-54