By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 120-109, with Giannis Antetokounmpo back in the lineup. The Greek Freak, facing a left knee injury, missed the previous six fixtures of the 2020-21 NBA Regular Season, but registered 15 points, five rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block in 25 minutes on Thursday. His brother, Thanasis, accounted for one rebound in four minutes.
Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic had a game-high 28 points, behind 6/12 triples, for the hosts in the loss at State Farm Arena. Swiss Clint Capela, also starting, posted a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double, two rejections, and one steal. Italian Danilo Gallinari was sidelined for the third game in a row with a right foot injury.
Jaylen Brown scored 40 points guiding the Boston Celtics over the Los Angeles Lakers, 121-113. The lone European available, German Moritz Wagner got one block and one rebound in limited action. Spanish Marc Gasol had 18 points, German Dennis Schroder eight, and Greek Kostas Antetokounmpo two for the losing side.
Italian Nico Mannion pinched in one steal and Serbian Alen Smailagic had one assist for the Golden State Warriors in the 119-101 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road. German Isaiah Hartenstein produced one point and two rebounds for the home side but Turkish Cedi Osman did not play.
The Phoenix Suns became the second team reaching the 40-win mark with its tenth straight home victory after beating the Sacramento Kings, 122-114. Croatian Dario Saric contributed eight points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal lasting 12 minutes in his usual reserve role.
Thursday results:
Atlanta Hawks – Milwaukee Bucks 109-120
Cleveland Cavaliers – Golden State Warriors 101-119
Los Angeles Lakers – Boston Celtics 113-121
Phoenix Suns – Sacramento Kings 122-114
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Philadelphia 76ers 38-17
2. Brooklyn Nets 37-18
3. Milwaukee Bucks 35-20
4. Atlanta Hawks 30-26
5. Boston Celtics 30-26
6. New York Knicks 29-27
7. Miami Heat 28-27
8. Charlotte Hornets 27-27
9. Indiana Pacers 26-28
10. Chicago Bulls 22-32
11. Toronto Raptors 22-34
12. Washington Wizards 21-33
13. Cleveland Cavaliers 20-35
14. Orlando Magic 18-37
15. Detroit Pistons 16-39
Western Conference
1. Utah Jazz 41-14
2. Phoenix Suns 40-15
3. Los Angeles Clippers 39-18
4. Denver Nuggets 35-20
5. Los Angeles Lakers 34-22
6. Portland Trail Blazers 31-23
7. Dallas Mavericks 30-24
8. Memphis Grizzlies 27-26
9. Golden State Warriors 28-28
10. San Antonio Spurs 26-27
11. New Orleans Pelicans 25-30
12. Sacramento Kings 22-34
13. Oklahoma City Thunder 20-35
14. Houston Rockets 14-41
15. Minnesota Timberwolves 14-42
Photo Credit: Getty Images