By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo lifted the Milwaukee Bucks to the 124-115 win against the Chicago Bulls at the Fiserv Forum with 38 points, 16 boards, four assists, three steals and one rejection on Thursday evening. Ersan Ilyasova finished with a couple of points and three rebounds, Thanasis Antetokounmpo did not play and Dragan Bender was inactive. Lauri Markkanen had 11 points, eight boards and one steal for the losing side and Tomas Satoransky ten points, five dimes, four rebounds and three steals with Adam Mokoka inactive.
Kristaps Porzingis made his Madison Square Garden return with a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double, tallied three blocks and one steal as well, while Luka Doncic put up his fifth triple-double of the 2019-20 NBA Regular Seson with 33 points, 11 assists and ten rebounds to go along with his three steals and one rejection in 36 minutes. However, the Dallas Mavericks dropped the match, 106-103, to the New York Knicks.
Boban Marjanovic and Maxi Kleber were also in action with the former posting ten points, five boards and one dime, and the latter failing to score but grabbing four rebounds. For the winning side, Frank Ntilikina had five points, three rebounds, two assists and one interception, but Ignas Brazdeikis did not leave the bench.
Nikola Jokic posted an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double, dished three assists as well with the Denver Nuggets taking down the Brooklyn Nets, 101-93, at the Pepsi Center. Juan Hernangomez contributed to the “W” with two points, eight rebounds and two dimes, but Vlatko Cancar was inactive. Dzanan Musa had ten points, two boards and one assist for the visitors, Rodions Kurucs did not play and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot was inactive.
Dario Saric poured 23 points, added six rebounds, one dime and one rejection aiding the Phoenix Suns defeat the Atlanta Hawks, 128-112, at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. Ricky Rubio ended up with six points, eight assists and three rebounds, Elie Okobo with a couple of dimes. Alex Len went for season-highs 21 points and ten boards, also made one assist for the losing side.
Lone Miami Heat European Goran Dragic posted nine points, seven dimes, three rebounds and two steals in the 108-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Cedi Osman had 12 points, seven boards and one assist for the hosts, Ante Zizic remained on the sidelines.
Nicolo Melli did not make a bucket, only registered a pair of rebounds, one assist and one steal for the New Orleans Pelicans that beat the Los Angeles Clippers, 132-127, at the Smoothie King Center. Ivica Zubac notched six points, five boards and one dime from the bench for the visitors.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 9-1
2. Miami Heat 8-3
3. Milwaukee Bucks 8-3
4. Toronto Raptors 8-3
5. Philadelphia 76ers 7-4
6. Indiana Pacers 7-4
7. Atlanta Hawks 4-7
8. Orlando Magic 4-7
9. Charlotte Hornets 4-7
10. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-7
11. Brooklyn Nets 4-7
12. Chicago Bulls 4-8
13. Detroit Pistons 4-8
14. New York Knicks 3-9
15. Washington Wizards 2-7
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 9-2
2. Houston Rockets 8-3
3. Denver Nuggets 8-3
4. Utah Jazz 8-3
5. Phoenix Suns 7-4
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 7-4
7. Los Angeles Clippers 7-4
8. Dallas Mavericks 6-5
9. San Antonio Spurs 5-6
10. Sacramento Kings 4-6
11. Oklahoma City Thunder 4-7
12. Memphis Grizzlies 4-7
13. Portland Trail Blazers 4-8
14. New Orleans Pelicans 3-8
15. Golden State Warriors 2-10