By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 127-115, at the Fiserv Forum on Friday evening. Nikola Jokic fell just shy from a triple-double with 15 points, ten rebounds, nine dimes and one steal to his name. Fellow European Juan Hernangomez pilled up 12 points, five boards and one assist from the bench. However, Vlatko Cancar did not play. One dime off a triple-double for Giannis Antetokounmpo as well with 31 points, 16 rebounds, nine assists, a couple of rejections and one steal. His brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo ended up with four points and one steal in his first NBA start. Ersan Ilyasova had three points and one board, but Dragan Bender did not leave the bench.
Comeback win with major European impact for the Oklahoma City Thunder, 111-107 opposite to the Phoenix Suns at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. Danilo Gallinari paced the visitors with 27 points, also grabbed four rebounds. Dennis Schroder added 24 points, six dimes, four boards and a couple of steals off the bench. Ricky Rubio was held to eight points, seven assists, a pair of rebounds and a couple of steals, Dario Saric exited after spraining his left ankle in the first quarter with a pair of rebounds and Elie Okobo did not play at all.
Tenth straight win clinched All Star Game coaching nods for Nick Nurse and his staff. Serge Ibaka starting for Marc Gasol (left hamstring) racked up 21 points, six boards and three assists for the Toronto Raptors in the 105-92 victory over the Detroit Pistons at the Little Caesars Arena. Starting as well, OG Anunoby chipped in with six points, a couple of rebounds and one assist. First five for the losing side was Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk with 13 points, four rebounds and a pair of assists. Sekou Doumbouya stayed on the bench though.
Kristaps Porzingis posted a 35-point, 12-rebound double-double alongside his two steals and one rejection, but the Dallas Mavericks without Luka Doncic (right ankle) lost to the Houston Rockets, 128-121, at the Toyota Center. Maxi Kleber notched four points, six boards, four blocks and one dime with Boban Marjanovic out of the rotation. As for the prevailing side, Thabo Sefolosha had two points, five rebounds and three assists off the bench, but Isaiah Hartenstein did not play, Clint Capela (right heel) was sidelined and assigned William Howard was out as well.
Powered by Kyrie Irving and his 54 points, the Brooklyn Nets beat the Chicago Bulls, 133-118, at the Barclays Center. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot put in four points and Rodions Kurucs one assist, but Dzanan Musa was assigned to G League. Tomas Satoransky had 15 points, eight dimes, four rebounds, one interception and one block in losing effort, while Adam Mokoka posted one steal and Lauri Markkanen (right pelvis) remained out.
Nicolo Melli helped the New Orleans Pelicans to the 139-111 victory versus the Memphis Grizzlies at the Smoothie King Center with ten points behind 4/5 field goals including a pair of threes, five boards and a pair of assists. Jonas Valanciunas fouled out with 18 points, eight boards, four rejections and one interception for the visitors. Teammate Marko Guduric was suspended for the night.
First action following Kobe Bryant’s passing for the Los Angeles Lakers saw the Portland Trail Blazers claim the 127-119 win at the Staples Center. Mario Hezonja made one point, a pair of boards and one block, Jusuf Nurkic (left leg) remained sidelined and Jaylen Hoard spent his night in the G League. Lone European of the losing side, Kostas Antetokounmpo was assigned as well.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 41-7
2. Toronto Raptors 35-14
3. Boston Celtics 32-15
4. Miami Heat 32-15
5. Indiana Pacers 31-17
6. Philadelphia 76ers 31-18
7. Brooklyn Nets 21-26
8. Orlando Magic 21-27
9. Chicago Bulls 19-32
10. Washington Wizards 16-31
11. Detroit Pistons 17-33
12. Charlotte Hornets 16-32
13. New York Knicks 13-36
14. Cleveland Cavaliers 13-36
15. Atlanta Hawks 13-36
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 36-11
2. Denver Nuggets 34-15
3. Los Angeles Clippers 33-15
4. Utah Jazz 32-16
5. Houston Rockets 30-18
6. Dallas Mavericks 29-19
7. Oklahoma City Thunder 30-20
8. Memphis Grizzlies 24-25
9. Portland Trail Blazers 22-27
10. San Antonio Spurs 21-26
11. Phoenix Suns 20-28
12. New Orleans Pelicans 20-29
13. Sacramento Kings 18-30
14. Minnesota Timberwolves 15-32
15. Golden State Warriors 10-39
Photo Credit: Getty Images