By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Bojan Bogdanovic posted a season-high 27 points Saturday night, but the Indiana Pacers suffered a 111-110 away loss to the Sacramento Kings. Bogdan Bogdanovic notched a clutch bucket on his way for his 20 points. Nemanja Bjelica added 13 points and Kostas Koufos (calf) returned to action but didn’t score. Pacers’ Domantas Sabonis played with a sore back but got six points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo put up one more superb performance with 33 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks. However, the Milwaukee Bucks lost 136-134 to the New York Knicks in overtime (124-124). Mario Hezonja got two points with a tremendous dunk over the Greek Freak, Enes Kanter had eight points, but Frank Ntilikina didn’t play and Kristaps Porzingis (knee) remained out. Bucks’ Ersan Ilyasova (concussion) was also on the sidelines.
Lauri Markkanen (elbow) debuted in the 2018-19 NBA season and scored 10 points in the Chicago Bulls’ 121-105 away loss at the hands of the Houston Rockets. He was rusty at first, but got closer to his familiar game afterwards. Clint Capela notched an 18-point, 15-rebound double-double for the winning side.
Serge Ibaka, OG Anunoby and Jonas Valanciunas contributed to the Toronto Raptors 106-95 away win over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a total of 23 points. Cedi Osman scored 12 points for the losing side with 3/13 from the field, while Ante Zizic (knee) remained out.
Jonas Jerebko started for the Golden State Warriors, but only posted four points and his team suffered a 111-102 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Pistons.
Tomas Satoransky was in the Washington Wizards’ starting five in their 102-88 victory against the Brooklyn Nets.
Dario Saric hasn’t yet made it to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ starting five, but poured seven points in the 118-109 home loss to the Boston Celtics.
Saturday’s results, the European scorers and NBA’s standings:
| New York Knicks | Milwaukee Bucks | 136-134 OT (124-124) | Enes Kanter 8pts, 7reb, 2ast, Mario Hezonja 2pts, 2reb, 2ast, 1stl – Giannis Antetokounmpo 33pts, 19reb, 7ast, 3stl, 2blk |
| Detroit Pistons | Golden State Warriors | 111-102 | Zaza Pachulia 2pts, 4reb, 1ast, Jose Calderon 0pts – Jonas Jerebko 4pts, 4reb, 1stl |
| Washington Wizards | Brooklyn Nets | 102-88 | Tomas Satoransky 7pts, 1reb, 3ast – Rodions Kurucs 8pts, 5reb, Dzanan Musa 2pts |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Toronto Raptors | 95-106 | Cedi Osman 12pts, 6reb, 3ast, 1stl – Serge Ibaka 10pts, 6reb, 1ast, OG Anunoby 8pts, 6reb, 1ast, Jonas Valanciunas 5pts, 4reb, 1blk |
| Houston Rockets | Chicago Bulls | 121-105 | Clint Capela 18pts, 15reb, 1blk, Isaiah Hartenstein 1reb, 1ast – Lauri Markkanen 10pts, 4reb, 1stl, 1blk |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Boston Celtics | 109-118 | Dario Saric 7pts, 4reb, 1ast, 1blk – Daniel Theis 4pts |
| Sacramento Kings | Indiana Pacers | 111-110 | Bogdan Bogdanovic 20pts 2reb, 6ast, 2stl, Nemanja Bjelica 13pts, 6reb, 1ast, 1blk, Kostas Koufos 7reb, 1ast, 1blk- Bojan Bogdanovic 27pts, 3reb, 2stl, Domantas Sabonis 6pts, 7reb, 5ast, 2blk |
Eastern Conference
1. Toronto Raptors 20-4
2. Milwaukee Bucks 15-7
3. Philadelphia 76ers 16-8
4. Detroit Pistons 13-7
5. Indiana Pacers 13-10
6. Boston Celtics 13-10
7, Charlotte Hornets 11-11
8, Orlando Magic 11-12
9. Washington Wizards 9-14
10. Miami Heat 8-13
11. Brooklyn Nets 8-16
12. New York Knicks 8-16
13. Atlanta Hawks 5-18
14. Chicago Bulls 5-19
15. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-18
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Clippers 15-6
2. Denver Nuggets 15-7
3. Oklahoma City Thunder 14-7
4. Golden State Warriors 15-9
5. Memphis Grizzlies 13-8
6. Los Angeles Lakers 13-9
7, Portland Trail Blazers 13-9
8, Houston Rockets 11-11
9. Sacramento Kings 11-11
10. Dallas Mavericks 10-10
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 11-12
12. Utah Jazz 11-12
13. New Orleans Pelicans 11-12
14. San Antonio Spurs 10-12
15. Phoenix Suns 4-18