By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Ricky Rubio saw the opening left by Nikola Vucevic for a key steal and the Phoenix Suns defeated the Orlando Magic, 98-94, at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Spaniard point guard posted an 11-point, 10-assist double-double, tallied seven boards, three interceptions and one block as well. Fellow European starter Dario Saric billed in nine points, a pair of rebounds and one steal. Elie Okobo did not score but notched three boards, a couple of assists and one interception. Vucevic’s 18-point, 13-rebound double-double went to waste as his three dimes and two steals, while Evan Fournier banked a game-high 28 points alongside his three boards, three interceptions and one assist.
Right back on track went Jonas Valanciunas with 21 points with 7/11 field goals, nine rebounds, three dimes and one rejection to show for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 134-121 victory opposite to the San Antonio Spurs at the FedExForum. Fellow European Marko Guduric did not get on the court for the 2019-20 NBA Regular Season tilt. As for the visitors, Jakob Poeltl had six points, three blocks, a pair of rebounds and a couple of dimes in 12 minutes of work. However, Marco Belinelli did not generate any stats in two minutes and Luka Samanic stayed on his G League assignment.
Dominating display by Rudy Gobert with 15 points, 13 rebounds, five rejections, three dimes and one steal helped the Utah Jazz power their way by the Charlotte Hornets, 109-92, at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on Friday evening. Fellow European Bojan Bogdanovic sank four threes en route for 18 points, also added three dimes and three rebounds. Willy Hernangomez made the most out of his first ten minutes in a couple of weeks with a season-high 15 points to go along with his six boards and one assist for the losing side. Teammate Nicolas Batum posted three points and three rebounds.
Davis Bertans returned to action picking up 14 points, seven boards and one assist for the Washington Wizards in the 111-101 win against the Atlanta Hawks at the Capital One Arena. Ian Mahinmi put in 12 points, eight rebounds, a couple of interceptions and one dime, Anzejs Pasecniks six points, six boards and one steal, and Isaac Bonga three points, five rebounds, three assists, a pair of interceptions and one block. However Moritz Wagner (left ankle) remained out. On the other side, Alex Len posted a 10-point, 14-rebound double-double, also rejected one shot.
Domantas Sabonis (left knee) was ruled out, but the Indiana Pacers took down the Chicago Bulls, 116-115, at the United Center. Naz Mitrou-Long (right ankle) was sidelined as well, but Goga Bitadze notched four points, three boards, one assist, one interception and one block. Tomas Satoransky made 13 points, three dimes, three boards, one steal and one block in losing effort, while Lauri Markkanen ended up with 11 points, five rebounds and four assists. Adam Mokoka played for the Windy City Bulls.
Kostas Antetokounmpo made the lone European contribution with one assist in the 129-114 win of the Los Angeles Lakers against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Luka Doncic went through frustration with 25 points, ten rebounds and seven dimes in losing effort. Double-double by Boban Marjanovic as well with 14 points and ten boards. Maxi Kleber was held to two points, three blocks, a couple of rebounds and one assist. Kristaps Porzingis (right knee) remained on the injury list.
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 13 points, ten boards, five assists and one steal aiding the Milwaukee Bucks to the 127-106 win versus the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center. Thanasis Antetokounmpo only needed three minutes for four points, but Ersan Ilyasova (right knee) was sidelined and Dragan Bender assigned to the Wisconsin Herd. Nemanja Bjelica posted a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double in losing effort, was also credited with four assists and one rejection, but Bogdan Bogdanovic (illness) missed the game.
Rodions Kurucs scored a season-high 19 points to go along with his three boards and one steal with the Brooklyn Nets overpowering the Miami Heat, 117-113, at the Barclays Center. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot added ten points, three rebounds and one assist from the bench, and Dzanan Musa six points, five boards and one dime. Another reserve, Goran Dragic went for 17 points, five assists and a couple of rebounds for the losing side.
Reserve Nicolo Melli contributed with seven points, a pair of steals and one assist to the 123-111 win of the New Orleans Pelicans over the New York Knicks at the Madison Square Garden. For the hosts, Frank Ntilikina also came off the bench, went for seven points, four dimes, three rebounds and one interception. Ignas Brazdeikis was held to G League action for the night.
Also in action was Ivica Zubac with four points, eight rebounds and one assist in 15 minutes for the Los Angeles Clippers that beat the Golden State Warriors, 109-100, at the Staples Center. Alen Smailagic notched two points and a couple of boards for the losing side.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 34-6
2. Miami Heat 27-11
3. Boston Celtics 25-11
4. Toronto Raptors 25-13
5. Philadelphia 76ers 25-14
6. Indiana Pacers 24-15
7. Orlando Magic 18-21
8. Brooklyn Nets 17-20
9. Charlotte Hornets 15-26
10. Detroit Pistons 14-25
11. Washington Wizards 13-25
12. Chicago Bulls 13-26
13. Cleveland Cavaliers 11-27
14. New York Knicks 10-29
15. Atlanta Hawks 8-31
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 31-7
2. Denver Nuggets 26-11
3. Los Angeles Clippers 27-12
4. Utah Jazz 26-12
5. Houston Rockets 25-12
6. Dallas Mavericks 23-15
7. Oklahoma City Thunder 22-16
8. Memphis Grizzlies 17-22
9. San Antonio Spurs 16-21
10. Portland Trail Blazers 16-23
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 15-22
12. Phoenix Suns 15-23
13. Sacramento Kings 15-24
14. New Orleans Pelicans 14-25
15. Golden State Warriors 9-31
Photo Credit: Getty Images