By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
One assist shy from a triple-double with 18 points, 19 rebounds and nine dimes, also picked up a couple of blocks and a couple of steals, Giannis Antetokounmpo powered the Milwaukee Bucks to the 117-89 victory opposite to the Indiana Pacers at the Fiserv Forum. Ersan Ilyasova finished with three points, four boards, one assist and one steal. Thanasis Antetokounmpo was not part of the active squad, neither was Dragan Bender (right ankle). For the losing side, Domantas Sabonis posted a 19-point, 18-rebound double-double alongside five assists, two interceptions and a pair of blocks, and Goga Bitadze grabbed a couple of rebounds and blocked one shot, but Naz Mitrou-Long (right ankle) remained out.
With Luka Doncic (right ankle) sidelined, the Dallas Mavericks dropped a 30-point lead en route for the 110-107 loss to the Toronto Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena. The hosts without Marc Gasol (left hamstring) saw OG Anunoby at six points, six rebounds and two dimes, Serge Ibaka at six points, five boards, one dime and one block. Kristaps Porzingis’ 19-point, 12-rebound double-double went to waste, so did his three rejections and one steal. Reserves Maxi Kleber had seven points and five boards, and Boban Marjanovic one point and a couple of rebounds.
Dennis Schroder scored 16 out of his 28 points in the fourth quarter guiding the Oklahoma City Thunder to the win, 118-112, over the Los Angeles Clippers at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on Sunday. The 26-year-old German guard also tallied six assists, five boards and one interception. Teammate Danilo Gallinari (left ankle) sat out. Ivica Zubac notched seven points, eight boards, a pair of dimes and one steal in 18 minutes of work as a starter for the visitors.
Sixth win in a row for the Denver Nuggets, 128-104 against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. Nikola Jokic went for 18 points behind 5/8 from the field, six boards, five assists, one steal and one rejection, Vlatko Cancar for two points, one rebound and one dime, and Juan Hernangomez for two points and one rebound. No Europeans for the home side with Kostas Antetokounmpo on a G League assignment. LeBron James was out as well.
Elsewhere, at the TD Garden, the Boston Celtics defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 119-93, with Enes Kanter’s contribution on eight points, 13 rebounds and one rejection. Javonte Green had four points, four boards and one assist, and Daniel Theis five rebounds and three dimes, but Vincent Poirier (right hand) stayed on the injury list. Nicolas Batum started and notched six points, three boards, two rebounds and one steal for the losing side, and Willy Hernangomez pulled down one rebound.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 27-4
2. Boston Celtics 20-7
3. Miami Heat 21-8
4. Toronto Raptors 21-8
5. Philadelphia 76ers 21-10
6. Indiana Pacers 20-10
7. Brooklyn Nets 16-13
8. Orlando Magic 12-17
9. Charlotte Hornets 13-20
10. Chicago Bulls 12-19
11. Detroit Pistons 11-19
12. Washington Wizards 8-20
13. Cleveland Cavaliers 8-21
14. New York Knicks 7-23
15. Atlanta Hawks 6-24
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 24-6
2. Denver Nuggets 20-8
3. Houston Rockets 20-9
4. Los Angeles Clippers 22-10
5. Dallas Mavericks 19-10
6. Utah Jazz 18-11
7. Oklahoma City Thunder 15-14
8. Portland Trail Blazers 14-16
9. Sacramento Kings 12-17
10. San Antonio Spurs 11-17
11. Phoenix Suns 11-18
12. Memphis Grizzlies 11-19
13. Minnesota Timberwolves 10-18
14. New Orleans Pelicans 7-23
15. Golden State Warriors 6-24
Photo Credit: Getty Images