By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Portland Trail Blazers rebounded after the All-Star break with a 113-99 win against the Brooklyn Nets. Jusuf Nurkic posted a 27-point, 12-rebound double-double at the Barclays Center and got a helping hand from his new European teammate, Enes Kanter, who debuted making 8/9 two-pointers and pouring 18 points, also added nine rebounds to his tally.
Furkan Korkmaz (right knee) was sidelined, as expected, but the Philadelphia 76ers achieved a 106-102 home victory over the Miami Heat. Boban Marjanovic started, scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, also sank three key free throws down the stretch. The visitors’ Goran Dragic (right knee) was left out despite seeming ready for his return to action.
Giannis Antetokounmpo poured 12 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and also took down 13 rebounds leading the Milwaukee Bucks to their 98-97 home win over the Boston Celtics. Nikola Mirotic (right calf) returned to action and debuted for the Bucks with 8 points, Ersan Ilyasova added nine of his own.
Clint Capela also got back on the court, he notched a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, but the Houston Rockets lost 111-106 to the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 14 points for the Sacramento Kings in their 125-123 defeat to the Golden State Warriors.
Cedi Osman scored 19 points and Ante Zizic had a 18-point, 12-rebound double-double for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Both Europeans started and helped towards the 111-98 home victory against the Phoenix Suns, who suffered their 16th straight defeat.
Results and European action:
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Phoenix Suns | 111-98 | Osman 19pts, 5reb, 5ast, Zizic 18pts, 12reb, 1ast, 1stl, 2blk – Bender 3reb, Okobo 1ast |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Miami Heat | 106-102 | Marjanovic 19pts, 12reb, 2ast, 1blk |
| Brooklyn Nets | Portland Trail Blazers | 99-113 | Kurucs DNP – Nurkic 27pts, 12reb, 1ast, 3blk, Kanter 18pts, 9reb, 1stl |
| Milwaukee Bucks | Boston Celtics | 98-97 | G. Antetokounmpo 30pts, 13reb, 6ast, 1stl, 2blk, Ilyasova 9pts, 4reb, Mirotic 8pts, 3reb – Yabusele 0pts, Theis 0pts |
| Golden State Warriors | Sacramento Kings | 125-123 | Jerebko 2reb, 1blk – Bogd. Bogdanovic 14pts, 3reb, 6ast, 2stl, Bjelica DNP, Koufos DNP |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Houston Rockets | 111-106 | Wagner DNP – Capela 12pts, 11reb, 1blk |
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 44-14
2. Toronto Raptors 43-16
3. Indiana Pacers 38-20
4. Philadelphia 76ers 38-21
5. Boston Celtics 37-22
6. Brooklyn Nets 30-30
7. Charlotte Hornets 27-30
8. Detroit Pistons 26-30
9. Orlando Magic 27-32
10. Miami Heat 26-31
11. Washington Wizards 24-34
12. Atlanta Hawks 19-39
13. Chicago Bulls 14-44
14. Cleveland Cavaliers 13-46
15. New York Knicks 11-47
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors 42-16
2. Denver Nuggets 39-18
3. Oklahoma City Thunder 37-20
4. Portland Trail Blazers 35-23
5. Houston Rockets 33-25
6. Utah Jazz 32-25
7. San Antonio Spurs 33-26
8. Los Angeles Clippers 32-27
9. Sacramento Kings 30-28
10. Los Angeles Lakers 29-29
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 27-30
12. Dallas Mavericks 26-31
13. New Orleans Pelicans 26-33
14. Memphis Grizzlies 23-36
15. Phoenix Suns 11-49