By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Jonas Valanciunas dropped a game-high 22 points and grabbed 5 rebounds helping the Toronto Raptors beat the Brooklyn Nets 103 – 95 and improve their record to 31 – 21.
It was the third top scoring performance in the season for the Lithuanian center as his team was +13 with him on the floor.
The Raptors missed DeMar DeRozan for one more game but had a fantastic Kyle Lowry in their ranks who registered 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. His first triple-double in the season and the ninth of his career.
For the struggling Nets that are now 9 – 42, Bojan Bogdanovic finished with 13 points (on 4/11 from the field). Brooklyn Lopez led them in scoring with 20 to go with his 7 rebounds.
Bursting with Russell Westbrook’s unstoppable energy (42 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds) the Oklahom Thunder defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 105 – 99. Joffrey Lauvergne came from the bench to add a season-high 9 rebounds along with 7 points and 2 assists.
He might have stayed on the floor longer than 17 minutes if he didn’t have foul troubles. Something that was not an issue for Domantas Sabonis who was once again a starter and played 34 minutes, but couldn’t connect to the basket finishing with 2 points (0/6 shots, 2/2 from the line) 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Alex Abrines was back after missing three games due to back spasms, but wasn’t used at all by coach Billy Donovan.
In a game filled with intense emotional moments as Paul Pierce played in the “Boston Garden” for the last time in his career, the Celtics downed the L.A. Clippers 107 – 102 with Isaiah Thomas scoring 28 and dishing out 8 assists. Jonas Jerebko played for 10 minutes but finished scoreless after 0/4 shots.