By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
One playoffs game, one triple-double for Nikola Jokic, but one loss as well. The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Denver Nuggets, 101-96, overcoming the 24-year-old Serbian’s ten points, 14 dimes and 14 boards. Fellow Europeans Marco Belinelli, Jakob Poeltl and Davis Bertans totaled 19 points for the visitors.
Playing their first playoffs game in seven years, the Orlando Magic broke the Toronto Raptors’ home-court advantage with the 104-101 away win. Evan Fournier helped with 16 points and Nikola Vucevic added 11. Marc Gasol had 13 and Serge Ibaka five for the hosts.
Danilo Gallinari was among the players picking up a technical foul and the Los Angeles Clippers dropped their first road game versus the Golden State Warriors, 121-104. The 30-year-old Italian forward finished with 15 points and eight boards at the Oracle Arena.
The first 2019 NBA playoffs game saw the Brooklyn Nets go by the Philadelphia 76ers, 111-102. Boban Marjanovic scored 13 points off the bench for the losing side.
Results and European action:
| Philadelphia 76ers – Brooklyn Nets | 102-111 | Marjanovic 13pts, 3reb, 4ast,1stl, 1blk, Korkmaz DNP – Kurucs 3reb, 1ast, Musa OUT |
| Toronto Raptors – Orlando Magic | 101-104 | M. Gasol 13pts, 6reb, 4ast, Ibaka 5pts, 8reb, 1ast, 1blk, Anunoby OUT – Fournier 16pts, 2reb, 2ast, 1stl, Vucevic 11pts, 8reb, 3ast, 1blk, Mozgov OUT |
| Golden State Warriors – Los Angeles Clippers | 121-104 | Jerebko 0pts – Gallinari 15pts, 8reb, 1ast, 3stl, Zubac 4reb, 1ast, 1stl |
| Denver Nuggets – San Antonio Spurs | 96-101 | Jokic 10pts, 14reb, 14ast, 1stl, J. Hernangomez DNP – Belinelli 8pts, 4reb, 2ast, Poeltl 6pts, 6reb, 1stl, 1blk, Dav. Bertans 5pts, 1reb, 2ast, 1blk, Motiejunas DNP |