By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Milwaukee Bucks got back on track after two losses in a row with Giannis Antetokounmpo posting a 27-point, 14-rebound double-double in the victory, 129-115, versus the Atlanta Hawks Sunday. His eight assists left him narrowly shy of a triple-double. The visitors missing several key players featured Italian Danilo Gallinari with 17 points off the bench.
British OG Anunoby was a key force for the Toronto Raptors in the win, 107-102, versus the Indiana Pacers. He combined his season-high 30 points with eight rebounds and five steals. On the losing end, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis recorded ten points, 19 rebounds, and five assists.
Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic made it to 10,000 career points on the back of a 22-point, 13-rebound double-double and French Evan Fournier scored 21 points but the Orlando Magic were defeated, 107-104, by the Charlotte Hornets. Gordon Hayward banked in the game-winner and a game-high 39 points.
Serge Ibaka contributed 17 points for the Los Angeles Clippers prevailing, 108-100, against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ivica Zubac put up a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double and Nicolas Batum added seven points. European youngsters Aleksej Pokusevski and Theo Maledon got two points apiece for the losing side.
German Daniel Theis rocked 17 points, six rebounds, two blocks, and two steals for the Boston Celtics overpowering the Cleveland Cavaliers, 141-103. Jaylen Brown poured a game-high 33 points, including 20 in the third period. Turkish Cedi Osman started for shorthanded Cavs and registered 12 points.
Returning to action after two weeks, the Washington Wizards lost, 121-101, to the San Antonio Spurs. Recently-added Ukrainian Alex Len got 11 points and German Isaac Bonga registered seven points. For the hosts, Austrian Jakob Poeltl produced four points and Croatian Luka Samanic three points.
Enes Kanter finished with eight points, eight rebounds, and three blocks for the Portland Trail Blazers overcoming the New York Knicks, 116-113. Damian Lillard went for 39 points, including a long-range dagger adding on his six three-pointers.
Sunday results:
Indiana Pacers – Toronto Raptors 102-107
Los Angeles Clippers – Oklahoma City Thunder 108-100
Boston Celtics – Cleveland Cavaliers 141-103
Orlando Magic – Charlotte Hornets 104-107
Milwaukee Bucks – Atlanta Hawks 129-115
San Antonio Spurs – Washington Wizards 121-101
Portland Trail Blazers – New York Knicks 116-113
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Philadelphia 76ers 12-5
2. Milwaukee Bucks 10-6
3. Boston Celtics 9-6
4. Indiana Pacers 9-7
5. Brooklyn Nets 10-8
6. Atlanta Hawks 8-8
7. Cleveland Cavaliers 8-8
8. New York Knicks 8-10
9. Toronto Raptors 7-9
10. Charlotte Hornets 7-9
11. Chicago Bulls 7-9
12. Orlando Magic 7-10
13. Miami Heat 6-9
14. Washington Wizards 3-9
15. Detroit Pistons 3-13
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 13-4
2. Los Angeles Clippers 13-4
3. Utah Jazz 12-4
4. Portland Trail Blazers 9-6
5. Denver Nuggets 9-7
6. Memphis Grizzlies 7-6
7. Phoenix Suns 8-7
8. San Antonio Spurs 9-8
9. Dallas Mavericks 8-8
10. Golden State Warriors 8-8
11. Houston Rockets 6-9
12. Oklahoma City Thunder 6-9
13. Sacramento Kings 6-10
14. New Orleans Pelicans 5-10
15. Minnesota Timberwolves 4-11
Photo Credit: Getty Images