By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Twenty points poured by Bogdan Bogdanovic pushed the Sacramento Kings to the 112-103 victory versus the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center. Mixed in five boards, a pair of rebounds and one interception as well. Fellow starter Nemanja Bjelica added ten points, seven rebounds, three dimes and one steal in the 2019-20 NBA Regular Season contest. Also, Alex Len came off the injury list for three points, eight boards, one interception and one block in his debut with the Kings. Ivica Zubac extended his starting five stay, but his eight points, 15 rebounds, two dimes and one rejection were not enough.
Giannis Antetokounmpo powered the Milwaukee Bucks to 48-8 with a 31-point, 17-rebound double-double in the 119-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at the Fiserv Forum. The Greek Freak sank 12 out his 17 attempts including a pair of threes in 29 minutes of action, also dished out eight assists and blocked one shot on Saturday evening. Ersan Ilyasova did not earn playing time and Thanasis Antetokounmpo did not suit up. Furkan Korkmaz earned a share of the team-high 17 points, also posted five boards and one assist in losing effort.
Dominating performance by Ricky Rubio with 18 points, 11 dimes, seven rebounds and a couple of interceptions for the Phoenix Suns in the 112-104 win versus the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Elie Okobo and Dario Saric did not score, but put in three assists and one dime alongside one board, respectively. No points for starter Tomas Satoransky either, only six rebounds and one assist in losing effort. Adam Mokoka notched two points, one board, one assist and one steal. Lauri Markkanen (right hip) remained sidelined.
Despite coming off the bench and playing just 23 minutes, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot scored a game-high 21 points, also grabbed four rebounds helping the Brooklyn Nets go past the Charlotte Hornets, 115-86, at the Spectrum Center. Rodions Kurucs had three boards to his name and Dzanan Musa remained on his G League assignment. As for the losing side, Nicolas Batum and Willy Hernangomez did not leave the bench.
Maintaining reserve status, Goran Dragic went for 16 points aiding the Miami Heat to the 124-105 win opposite to the Cleveland Cavaliers at the AmericanAirlines Arena. Additionally summed up four boards, four assists, one interception and one block. Team-high 19 points for Cedi Osman plus seven rebounds and seven assists for the visitors. Ante Zizic returned to action sporting seven points and one steal in nine minutes.
Resting Luka Doncic (right ankle) and Kristaps Porzingis (left knee) resulted to an 111-107 loss for Dallas Mavericks versus Atlanta Hawks at the State Farm Arena. Maxi Kleber fit in the starting five for nine points, eight boards, five rejections and a couple of assists, while reserve Boban Marjanovic threw in two points, two rebounds and one block. Clint Capela (right heel) of the hosts remained out.
No European action for the Houston Rockets with Thabo Sefolosha on the bench, but a 120-110 win against the Utah Jazz at the Vivint Smart Home Arena. Assigned Isaiah Hartenstein and William Howard were inactive. The winning side overcame both Rudy Gobert and Bojan Bogdnanovic. The former put up 12 points, seven rebounds and seven dimes, the latter another 12 points and six boards.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks 48-8
2. Toronto Raptors 41-15
3. Boston Celtics 39-16
4. Miami Heat 36-20
5. Philadelphia 76ers 35-22
6. Indiana Pacers 33-23
7. Brooklyn Nets 26-29
8. Orlando Magic 24-32
9. Washington Wizards 20-34
10.Charlotte Hornets 19-37
11. Chicago Bulls 19-38
12. Detroit Pistons 19-39
13. New York Knicks 17-39
14. Atlanta Hawks 17-41
15. Cleveland Cavaliers 15-41
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 42-12
2. Denver Nuggets 38-18
3. Los Angeles Clippers 37-19
4. Houston Rockets 36-20
5. Utah Jazz 36-20
6. Oklahoma City Thunder 34-22
7. Dallas Mavericks 34-23
8. Memphis Grizzlies 28-28
9. Portland Trail Blazers 25-32
10. San Antonio Spurs 24-31
11. New Orleans Pelicans 24-32
12. Sacramento Kings 23-33
13. Phoenix Suns 23-34
14. Minnesota Timberwolves 16-38
15. Golden State Warriors 12-44
Photo Credit: Getty Images