By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo registered 25 points, including a couple of threes, but the Milwaukee Bucks were defeated at home for the fourth time in the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season, 113-98, to the New York Knicks.
The Greek Freak went 7/17 from the field, also logged seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. His brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, still a starter for the undermanned Bucks, had four points, three rebounds, and two assists in 18 minutes. French Evan Fournier was limited to 1/6 from beyond the arc and 2/7 field goals for seven points in 25 minutes, despite the win.
Turkish Cedi Osman and Spanish Ricky Rubio combined for 28 points coming off the bench, 17 and 11, respectively, as the Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Toronto Raptors, 102-101, thanks to a couple of free throws sank by Darius Garland with 4.8 seconds left. For the hosts, British OG Anunoby scored 23 points and Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk ended up with three points.
Serbian Nemanja Bjelica with 13 points and the Golden State Warriors added on the painful season for the New Orleans Pelicans minus Zion Williamson with a comfortable victory, 126-85. Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas posted a 20-point, 15-rebound double-double for the Pels. Czech Tomas Satoransky had nine points off the bench, but Spanish Willy Hernangomez did not score in three minutes.
Croatian Ivica Zubac put in a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double for the Los Angeles Clippers on the comeback win, 104-84, against the Minnesota Timberwolves. French Nicolas Batum with 12 points and eight rebounds helped his side dig its way out of a 20-point hole. German Isaiah Hartenstein added seven points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.
Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic contributed ten points and nine rebounds in the Portland Trail Blazers win, 110-106, over the struggling Indiana Pacers. Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis posted a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double in the seventh loss in ten games and Georgian Goga Bitadze had four points in four minutes.
Missing injured Davis Bertans, the Washington Wizards dropped the Memphis Grizzlies, 115-87. Israeli Deni Avdija finished at five points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one block. For the visitors, Spanish Santi Aldama had two points, but French Killian Tillie missed all of his three shots.
Despite Austrian Jakob Poeltl entering the league’s health and safety protocols, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Orlando Magic, 102-89. German Franz Wagner was limited to four points, with his brother Moritz Wagner and fellow European Ignas Brazdeikis staying on the bench.
French Killian Hayes due to a thumb injury was sidelined for the Detroit Pistons in the loss, 96-90, to the Brooklyn Nets.
Ukrainian Alex Len did not get on the court as the Sacramento Kings routed the Charlotte Hornets, 140-110.
Friday results:
Detroit Pistons – Brooklyn Nets 90-96
Orlando Magic – San Antonio Spurs 89-102
Washington Wizards – Memphis Grizzlies 115-87
Milwaukee Bucks – New York Knicks 98-113
Toronto Raptors – Cleveland Cavaliers 101-102
Minnesota Timberwolves – Los Angeles Clippers 84-104
Golden State Warriors – New Orleans Pelicans 126-85
Portland Trail Blazers – Indiana Pacers 110-106
Sacramento Kings– Charlotte Hornets 140-110
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Philadelphia 76ers 7-2
2. Miami Heat 6-2
3. Chicago Bulls 6-2
4. Brooklyn Nets 6-3
5. New York Knicks 6-3
6. Washington Wizards 6-3
7. Cleveland Cavaliers 6-4
8. Toronto Raptors 6-4
9. Charlotte Hornets 5-5
10. Milwaukee Bucks 4-5
11. Boston Celtics 4-5
12. Atlanta Hawks 4-5
13. Indiana Pacers 3-7
14. Orlando Magic 2-8
15. Detroit Pistons 1-8
Western Conference
1. Utah Jazz 7-1
2. Golden State Warriors 7-1
3. Dallas Mavericks 5-3
4. Phoenix Suns 4-3
5. Los Angeles Lakers 5-4
6. Memphis Grizzlies 5-4
7. Sacramento Kings 5-4
8. Denver Nuggets 4-4
9. Los Angeles Clippers 4-4
10. Portland Trail Blazers 4-5
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 3-5
12. San Antonio Spurs 3-6
13. Oklahoma City Thunder 2-6
14. Houston Rockets 1-7
15. New Orleans Pelicans 1-9
Photo Credit: Getty Images