By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks overpowered the Charlotte Hornets, 131-114, achieved their 50th win of the season and allowed the Toronto Raptors to punch their playoffs ticket. Giannis Antetokounmpo paved the way with 26 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.
In other European action, Moritz Wagner posted a personal-best 22 points but the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 120-107 loss to the Boston Celtics at the Staples Center.
Nemanja Bjelica notched a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double from the bench aiding the Sacramento Kings in their 102-94 away win over the New York Knicks.
Jusuf Nurkic and Enes Kanter totaled 26 points for the Portland Trail Blazers in their 127-120 victory against the Phoenix Suns.
Tony Parker (rest), Mario Hezonja (left leg), Luol Deng (left Achilles) and Frank Ntilikina (groin) were sidelined on Saturday.
Results and European action:
| New York Knicks | Sacramento Kings | 94-102 | Bjelica 13pts, 10reb, 2ast, 2stl, 2blk, Bogd. Bogdanovic 9pts, 4reb, 3ast |
| Atlanta Hawks | Brooklyn Nets | 112-114 | Len 15pts, 4reb, 1blk – Kurucs 16pts, 6reb, 1ast, 1stl, Musa G-L |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Washington Wizards | 135-130 | Saric 13pts, 6reb, 3ast, 1stl – Satoransky 9pts, 3reb, 11ast, 1stl, Mahinmi DNP |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Boston Celtics | 107-120 | Wagner 22pts, 6reb, 3ast, 1blk, Bonga 1reb, 1blk – Yabusele 2pts, Theis 1reb |
| Milwaukee Bucks | Charlotte Hornets | 131-114 | G. Antetokounmpo 26pts, 13reb, 6ast, 1blk, Mirotic 18pts, 6reb, 3ast, 2stl, Ilyasova 7pts, 5reb, 1ast, 1blk, P. Gasol DNP – Batum 14pts, 8reb, 4ast, W. Hernangomez 3pts |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Phoenix Suns | 127-120 | Nurkic 14pts, 9reb, 1ast, 1blk, Kanter 12pts, 8reb, 1ast, 1blk – Bender 5pts, 3reb, 2ast, Okobo G-L |
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. x-Miilwaukee Bucks 50-16
2. x-Toronto Raptors 47-19
3. Indiana Pacers 42-24
4. Philadelphia 76ers 41-25
5. Boston Celtics 41-26
6. Detroit Pistons 33-31
7. Brooklyn Nets 35-33
8. Miami Heat 31-34
9. Orlando Magic 31-36
10. Charlotte Hornets 30-36
11. Washington Wizards 27-39
12. Atlanta Hawks 22-45
13. Chicago Bulls 19-48
14. e-Cleveland Cavaliers 16-50
15. e-New York Knicks 13-53
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors 45-29
2. Denver Nuggets 43-22
3. Houston Rockets 40-25
4. Oklahoma City Thunder 40-26
5. Portland Trail Blazers 40-26
6. Utah Jazz 37-28
7. Los Angeles Clippers 38-29
8. San Antonio Spurs 37-29
9. Sacramento Kings 33-32
10. Minnesota Timberwolves 31-35
11. Los Angeles Lakers 30-36
12. New Orleans Pelicans 30-38
13. Dallas Mavericks 27-38
14. Memphis Grizzlies 27-40
15. e-Phoenix Suns 15-52
x-Secured a playoffs spot
e-Eliminated from playoffs
Photo Credit: Getty Images