By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Finnish star Lauri Markkanen was at the wrong end of the 131-95 dominating victory by the Chicago Bulls over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. He made 13 points and four rebounds facing his former team, soon following him being vocal about wanting a fresh start in the NBA and eventually landing in Cleveland.
Fellow member of the Cavs, Spanish Ricky Rubio finished with ten points, six assists, and five rebounds. Turkish Cedi Osman put in five points and Kevin Pangos combined three points with three assists. Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic registered ten points, nine rebounds, and four assists for the hosts of the prep game.
French Evan Fournier put up 12 points for the New York Knicks in the friendly win, 125-104, versus the Indiana Pacers. On the opposite end of the fixture, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis registered six points, eight rebounds, and three assists, while Georgian Goga Bitadze ended up with three points and two rebounds.
Elsewhere, the Houston Rockets defeated the Washington Wizards, 125-119. European help came in by German Daniel Theis at 12 points and five rebounds, Turkish Alperen Sengun at five points, eight rebounds, and three assists, and Spanish Usman Garuba at five points. Latvian Davis Bertans recorded five points and three rebounds for the losing side.
A fire alarm suspended the prep game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies were up, 87-77, after three quarters at the FedExForum.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was among the players ruled out but his brother Thanasis had four points in 18:41. Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili went for nine points and Greek Giorgos Kalaitzakis did not score in 21:27.
NBA Preseason (Tuesday):
New York Knicks – Indiana Pacers 125-104
Chicago Bulls – Cleveland Cavaliers 131-95
Houston Rockets – Washington Wizards 125-119
Memphis Grizzlies – Milwaukee Bucks 87-77 (abandoned after three quarters)