By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo went for 35 points, nine rebounds and a pair of rejections for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 127-103 victory versus the Detroit Pistons at the Little Caesars Arena. Not a tightly contested affair, but certainly a heated and physical battle. Ersan Ilyasova contributed to his side’s 13th straight win with ten points, four boards, two interceptions and one dime, but Dragan Bender and Thanasis Antetokoumpo were inactive. First-ever starting gig for Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk with six points, three assists, one rebound and one steal to display in losing effort, while Sekou Doumbouya did not get on the board in three minutes.
Nikola Vucevic (right ankle) remained sidelined, but the Orlando Magic beat the Phoenix Suns, 128-114, at the Amway Center. Evan Fournier poured 21 points to go along with his four dimes, two boards and one interception in the 2019-20 NBA Regular Season affair. For the losing side, Dario Saric put up ten points, six rebounds and two assists, Ricky Rubio four points, nine dimes, three rebounds and one steal, and Elie Okobo four points and two assists.
Lauri Makkanen banked 15 points, five rebounds, two rejections and one dime aiding the Chicago Bulls in the 106-99 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at the United Center. Tomas Satoransky posted 13 points, eight assists, six boards and three interceptions, but assigned Adam Mokoka was not part of the squad. Jonas Valanciunas’ 32-point, 13-rebound double-double went to waste, so did his three steals, one dime and one block, while teammate Marko Guduric finished with two points.
Despite his bad shooting night, Luka Doncic still put up 22 points to go along with his seven boards and six assists for the Dallas Mavericks that beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 121-114, at the American Airlines Center. Fellow European starter Kristaps Porzingis went for 19 points and six rebounds. Maxi Kleber notched 12 points, five boards, two assists and one interception in 26 minutes of work from the bench, but Boban Marjanovic did not play.
Double-double for Domantas Sabonis with 17 points and 13 rebounds alongside two dimes and two interceptions for the Indiana Pacers that took down the Oklahoma City Thunder, 107-100, at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Goga Bitadze did not get on the court and Naz Mitrou-Long was inactive. As for the hosts, Danilo Gallinari posted 18 points, seven boards and two assists, Dennis Schroder 18 points, four rebounds, one dime and one block.
With lone European Kostas Antetokounmpo with the G League affliate, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Utah Jazz, 121-96, at the Vivint Smart Home Arena. Bojan Bogdanovic finished with 23 points including six made threes, three rebounds, three assists and one interception in 35 minutes for the losing side, Rudy Gobert with 13 points, ten boards, two dimes and one steal in 27 minutes of work.
Daniel Theis had eight points, nine rebounds, two dimes, three blocks and one steal helping the Boston Celtics overcome the Miami Heat, 112-93, at the TD Garden. Enes Kanter added two points and one board, Vincent Poirier another two points and Javonte Green two rebounds and one assist. Lone European of the opposite side, Goran Dragic (groin) was held out.
Dzanan Musa notched five points, a pair of assists and one board for the Brooklyn Nets in the 130-118 win versus the Atlanta Hawks at the State Farm Arena. Assigned Rodions Kurucs and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot were inactive. Alex Len got 18 points, seven rebounds, three dimes, two interceptions and one block from the bench in losing effort.
Mario Hezonja did not play, Jusuf Nurkic (left leg) remained out and Jaylen Hoard on assignment, but the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Sacramento Kings, 127-116, at the Moda Center. European action was limited to Nemanja Bjelica’s 17 points, seven rebounds, four dimes, two rejections and one steal for the losing side with Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee/hamstring) sidelined.
Three points, five boards, four assists, two steals and two rejections for Nicolas Batum as the Charlotte Hornets defeat the Golden State Warriors, 106-91, at the Spectrum Center. Teammate Willy Hernangomez did not see any action. Alen Smailagic of the losing side remained on his G League assignment.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 19-3
2. Boston Celtics 15-5
3. Toronto Raptors 15-5
4. Philadelphia 76ers 15-6
5. Miami Heat 15-6
6. Indiana Pacers 14-7
7. Brooklyn Nets 11-10
8. Orlando Magic 10-11
9. Charlotte Hornets 9-14
10. Chicago Bulls 8-14
11. Detroit Pistons 8-14
12. Washington Wizards 6-13
13. Cleveland Cavaliers 5-15
14. Atlanta Hawks 5-17
15. New York Knicks 4-17
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 19-3
2. Los Angeles Clippers 16-6
3. Denver Nuggets 13-5
4. Dallas Mavericks 15-6
5. Houston Rockets 13-7
6. Utah Jazz 12-10
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 10-10
8. Phoenix Suns 9-11
9. Portland Trail Blazers 9-13
10. Oklahoma City Thunder 8-12
11. Sacramento Kings 8-12
12. San Antonio Spurs 8-14
13. Memphis Grizzlies 6-15
14. New Orleans Pelicans 6-15
15. Golden State Warriors 4-19
Photo Credit: Getty Images