By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo only needed 24 minutes to put up a 24-point, 17-rebound double-double and lead the Milwaukee Bucks to the 121-86 home win over the Detroit Pistons. The Greek Freak showcased his power with multiple dunks and his team gained the 1-0 lead. Nikola Mirotic and Ersan Ilyasova played as well, but only the former got on the board with four points.
Enes Kanter dominated the paint for the Portland Trail Blazers in the 104-99 home victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Per Elias Sports, he became the first player to debut in the NBA postseason for a particular team with at least 18 points and 18 rebounds since Andres Nocioni back in 2005 ending up with a 20-18 performance. Dennis Schroder scored 11 points for the visitors.
The Houston Rockets comfortable took the 1-0 lead over the Utah Jazz with the 122-90 home win. Clint Capela helped with a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double. French center rival Rudy Gobert posted a double-double as well with a team-high 22 points and 12 rebounds, Ricky Rubio added 15 points for the losing side.
Daniel Theis and Guerschon Yabusele didn’t score for the Boston Celtics that beat the Indiana Pacers 84-74. The hosts got the 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series overcoming Bojan Bogdanovic’s 12 points, Domantas Sabonis finished with nine.
Results and European action:
| Boston Celtics – Indiana Pacers | 84-74 | Theis 3reb, Yabusele 0pts – Boj. Bogdanovic 12pts,2reb, 1ast, 2stl, Sabonis 7pts, 9reb, 3ast |
| Portland Trail Blazers – Oklahoma City Thunder | 104-99 | Kanter 20pts, 18reb, 2ast, 1stl, 2blk, Nurkic OUT – Schroder 11pts, 5reb, 3ast, 1stl |
| Milwaukee Bucks – Detroit Pistons | 121-86 | G. Antetokounmpo 24pts, 17reb, 4ast, 1stl, Mirotic 4pts, 1ast, Ilyasova 6reb, 2ast, 2blk, P. Gasol OUT – Pachulia 5pts, 9reb, Calderon 3ast, Mykhailiuk OUT |
| Houston Rockets – Utah Jazz | 122-90 | Capela 16pts, 12reb, 2ast, 1blk, Hartenstein DNP – Gobert 22pts, 12reb, 1ast, 1blk, Rubio 15pts, 3reb, 6ast, 2stl, Sefolosha 3pts, 1reb, 1ast, Mitrou-Long OUT |