By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Six double-doubles in seven 2019-20 NBA Regular Season contests, Ricky Rubio followed up with a 25-point, 13-assist, 13-rebound triple-double alongside three interceptions for the Phoenix Suns in the 140-131 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. The experienced Spaniard floor general lasted 38 minutes sinking 8/15 field goals including three out of his seven attempts beyond the arc, while fellow starter Dario Saric chipped in 11 points, five boards, one steal and one dime in 26 minutes. However, Elie Okobo did not play. Ersan Ilyasova started for injured Giannis Antetokounmpo (left knee), but failed to score or even attempt a shot in 15 minutes, only accounted for seven rebounds. Thanasis Antetokounmpo did not suit up.
Domantas Sabonis fueled the Indiana Pacers with a 20-point, 17-rebound double-double for the 112-109 victory opposite to the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. His winning effort included six dimes and one steal as well. Reserve Goga Bitadze grabbed one rebound in limited action and assigned Naz Mitrou-Long was inactive. As for the hosts, Luka Doncic scored a game-high 36 points, also threw in ten boards, eight assists, and one steal. Kristaps Porzingis was held to nine points, eight rebounds, a couple of dimes and a pair of blocks. The third European starter, Maxi Kleber had two points, five boards, and one assist. Boban Marjanovic got two points and five rebounds coming off the bench.
A key defensive effort from Dennis Schroder sent the Oklahoma City Thunder to the 105-104 victory versus the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden. The reserve German point guard poured 27 points, tallied six dimes, a pair of rebounds and a couple of steals as well. Starter Danilo Gallinari added 18 points with 6/17 field goals and six boards. Starting for the hosts, Daniel Theis put up 11 points, five rebounds, and three dimes. Enes Kanter pulled down a couple of boards in five minutes. Javonte Green did not leave the bench and Vincent Poirier was with the Maine Red Claws.
After parting ways with Kenny Atkinson and handing the interim hand coaching role to Jacque Vaughn, the Brooklyn Nets punched in a 110-107 win over the Chicago Bulls at the Barclays Center. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot contributed with one point, a pair of dimes and one rebound, but Rodions Kurucs stayed on the bench and Dzanan Musa on his G League assignment. Lauri Markkanen racked up 16 points, four assists, a couple of boards, and one steal in losing effort. Fellow starter Tomas Satoransky posted four points, three rebounds, and one dime. Adam Mokoka spent his night in the G League though.
Marc Gasol returned to action after missing 15 games and the Toronto Raptors beat the Sacramento Kings, 118-113, at the Golden 1 Center. The Spaniard big did not start, but threw in three points, a couple of boards and a pair of assists. The other Europeans claimed two starting five spots with Serge Ibaka posting a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double alongside five dimes and two blocks, and OG Anunoby on 12 points, a pair of boards and one steal.
The Serbian starting pairing is still going for the Kings with Nemanja Bjelica putting up a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double, a couple of dimes and one rejection, and Bogdan Bogdanovic nine points, four boards, two assists, one interception, and one block. The two above players combined for 1/10 from long-range, overall the hosts were 8/31. Alex Len was also in action but came off the bench for 15 points, seven rebounds, a couple of rejections and one assist.
Goran Dragic notched 11 points, four boards and three assists for the Miami Heat in the 100-89 win against the Washington Wizards at the Capital One Arena. Davis Bertans had 25 points and a couple of rebounds in losing effort. Also off the bench, Moritz Wagner posted four points, four boards, and one assist. Starter Isaac Bonga notched three points and one interception. No playing time for Ian Mahinmi, no spot in the active squad for Anzejs Pasecniks.
Despite Evan Fournier (right elbow) staying on the injury list, the Orlando Magic ran by the Houston Rockets, 126-106, at the Toyota Center. Among the main weapons was Nikola Vucevic. His 16-point, 16-rebound double-double powered by 5/12 twos was complemented by three dimes, one block, and one interception. Thabo Sefolosha played eight minutes for the home side but did not attach himself to the board. Isaiah Hartenstein and William Howard remained on their G League assignments.
Overtime win for the Cleveland Cavaliers, 132-129, versus the San Antonio Spurs at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Cedi Osman banked 19 points through 6/14 field goals including four threes. In 37 minutes of action additionally posted six dimes, four rebounds and a pair of interceptions. However, Ante Zizic did not play. Marco Belinelli (illness) and Jakob Poeltl (right knee) were out again for the visitors. Luka Samanic was active but did not get on the court.
Nicolo Melli pinched in 11 points with 2/3 two-pointers and 1/4 three-pointers to go along with his four boards, three assists, one interception, and one block in 26 minutes off the bench for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 120-107 victory opposite to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. Lone European of the losing side, Juan Hernangomez retained a spot in the starting five for three points, eight rebounds, one dime and one steal in 28 minutes.
Frank Ntilikina with seven points, three rebounds, a pair of interceptions and one assist off the bench helped the New York Knicks past the Detroit Pistons, 96-84, at the Madison Square Garden. Assigned Ignas Brazdeikis was inactive though. Nine points, five boards, five assists, and one steal for starting Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk in losing effort. Teammate Sekou Doumbouya made four points, one rebound, one dime and one steal off the bench.
The Los Angeles Lakers got one step further in the Western Conference race by defeating the Los Angeles Clippers, 112-103, at the Staples Center. They kept Kostas Antetokounmpo on his G League assignment. However, Ivica Zubac started once again for the losing side and went for five points, seven boards, one assist and one rejection in 14 minutes of action.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. x-Milwaukee Bucks 53-11
2. x-Toronto Raptors 45-18
3. Boston Celtics 42-21
4. Miami Heat 41-23
5. Indiana Pacers 39-25
6. Philadelphia 76ers 38-26
7. Brooklyn Nets 29-34
8. Orlando Magic 29-35
9. Washington Wizards 23-40
10. Charlotte Hornets 22-41
11. Chicago Bulls 21-43
12. New York Knicks 20-44
13. Detroit Pistons 20-45
14. Cleveland Cavaliers 19-45
15. Atlanta Hawks 19-45
Western Conference
1. x-Los Angeles Lakers 49-13
2. Los Angeles Clippers 43-20
3. Denver Nuggets 42-21
4. Utah Jazz 41-22
5. Oklahoma City Thunder 40-24
6. Houston Rockets 39-24
7. Dallas Mavericks 39-26
8. Memphis Grizzlies 32-32
9. New Orleans Pelicans 28-36
10. Sacramento Kings 28-36
11. Portland Trail Blazers 28-37
12. San Antonio Spurs 26-36
13. Phoenix Suns 26-38
14. Minnesota Timberwolves 19-44
15. Golden State Warriors 15-49
x-clinched a playoffs spot
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