By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Enes Kanter had a double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers returned to wins by defeating the Miami Heat 125 – 122.
“My job is just effort,” Kanter said after the game. “Hustle plays. And I know that’s what we need right now.” The Turkish big man became the first Blazers player ever to grab nine on more offensive rebounds in consecutive games, since he had ten in loss to the Brooklyn Nets and nine vs. the Heat.
Kanter also made an Avengers reference on having his frontline mate Jusuf Nurkic back soon. “You guys watch Marvel, it’s like Thanos last stone,” Kanter said. “Now we got all the pieces. Now we’re going to go out there and destroy everyone”
CJ McCollum led the Blazers overall with 35 points and eight assists while Damian Lillard (22 points) hit the game-winning free throws after being fouled by Trevor Ariza while taking a 3-pointer.
Nico Mannion hit five 3-pointers to score a career-high 19 points but the Sacramento Kings and De’Aaron Fox in particular (44 points) were too much for the Golden State Warriors and dominated 144 – 119.
Dennis Schroder had 20 points and 11 assists in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ (minus Lebron James and Anthony Davis) loss to the Philadelphia 76ers 101 – 109 at home. It was their fourth defeat in a row.
Furkan Korkmaz scored six points for the Sixers while Marc Gasol dropped five points for Los Angeles.
The rest of Thursday’s results and Euro scorers:
San Antonio Spurs – Los Angeles Clippers (Ivica Zubac 13 points/10 rebounds, Nicolas Batum six points/eight rebounds)
New York Knicks – Washington Wizards 106 – 102