By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Vucevic finished with 13 points to go along with 4 rebounds and 1 dime in 23 minutes as one of the main contributors for the Orlando Magic in the 97-88 victory versus the Atlanta Hawks at the State Farm Arena on Wednesday evening. His fellow European teammate Evan Fournier was left out of the 2019 NBA preseason contest. Alex Len of the hosts was held to 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in 14 minutes.
The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Chicago Bulls, 127-125, at the United Center with Nicolo Melli scoring 4 points, grabbing 6 rebounds and dishing 2 assists in 14 minutes. Fellow European Kavell Bigby-Williams did not get on the court. Lauri Markkanen combined 12 points with 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal for the Bulls starting alongside Tomas Satoransky who had 11 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.
Moritz Wagner went for 21 points, added 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in the 137-98 win of the Washington Wizards over the Guangzhou Long-Lions at the Capital One Arena. Davis Bertans poured 12 points to go along with 3 rebounds and 1 steal in just 8 minutes, and Isaac Bonga finished with 7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. Injured Ian Mahinmi was sidelined.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Milwaukee Bucks in their 133-99 friendly win over the Utah Jazz at the Fiserv Forum, his brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo added 9 points, 5 rebounds and 1 dime. Also, Dragan Bender posted 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks, but Ersan Ilyasova did not play. On the losing side, Rudy Gobert remained out, but Bojan Bogdanovic notched 6 points and a pair of rebounds.
The Detroit Pistons overcame Luka Doncic’s and Kristaps Porzingis’ hot start for a 124-117 win at the Little Caesars Arena despite Sekou Doumbouya and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk not scoring in limited action. As for the rest of the Europeans of the Dallas Mavericks, Boban Marjanovic had 4 points and 2 rebounds, and Maxi Kleber 2 points, 3 rebounds and a couple of rejections.
Goran Dragic was held out, but the Miami Heat defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 108-94, at the Spectrum Center. Nicolas Batum started for the home team but exited with right Achilles soreness after a couple of boards and 1 steal in 14 minutes. Willy Hernangomez had 2 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist in 8 minutes.