By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
German Franz Wagner went for 25 points leading the Orlando Magic to the away win, 104-98, versus the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. The team-high scoring effort was powered by 10/24 field goals. His brother Moritz Wagner and Lithuanian Ignas Brazdeikis were among players in the NBA health and safety protocols, as were Italian Danilo Gallinari, Swiss Clint Capela, and French Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot of the Hawks. After missing nearly one month with an ankle sprain, Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic returned to action packing six points, two assists, two rebounds, and two steals over 22 minutes.
Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic was limited to 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks as the Denver Nuggets were defeated, 108-94, by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Slovenian teammate Vlatko Cancar had nine points and four rebounds coming off the bench and lasting 17 minutes. French Petr Cornelie registered one steal in two minutes. As for the hosts, Serbian Aleksej Pokusevski did not score over 12 minutes, French Theo Maledon did not play, and Czech Vit Krejci remained on his latest G League assignment.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo out for the fourth 2021-22 Regular Season game in a row, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Houston Rockets, 126-106. Thanasis Antetokounmpo tallied two points and two rebounds before fouling out and Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili was sidelined with a non-COVID illness. Turkish Alperen Sengun produced ten points, eight rebounds, and four assists in the losing effort, but Spanish Usman Garuba did not score and German Daniel Theis stayed on the bench.
Turkish Cedi Osman scored 13 points coming off the bench, but the Cleveland Cavaliers lost, 111-101, to the Boston Celtics. Spanish Ricky Rubio had eight points and six assists, and Finnish Lauri Markkanen seven points and nine rebounds, but the European starters combined for 4/24 field goals. On the winning end, Enes Kanter Freedom got four points and German Dennis Schroder three points with Spanish Juancho Hernangomez in the health and safety protocols.
Serge Ibaka with 17 points helped the Los Angeles Clippers secure the win, 105-89, over the Sacramento Kings. Croatian Ivica Zubac contributed ten points and six rebounds, and French Nicolas Batum ended up with four points and three assists. German Isaiah Hartenstein remained out for a second straight game with an ankle injury. Ukrainian Alex Len and Portuguese Neemias Queta have been placed in the health and safety protocols by the Kings.
Wednesday results:
Atlanta Hawks – Orlando Magic 98-104
Boston Celtics – Cleveland Cavaliers 111-101
Milwaukee Bucks – Houston Rockets 126-106
Oklahoma City Thunder – Denver Nuggets 108-94
Sacramento Kings – Los Angeles Clippers 89-105
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Brooklyn Nets 21-9
2. Chicago Bulls 19-10
3. Milwaukee Bucks 20-13
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 19-13
5. Miami Heat 19-13
6. Washington Wizards 16-15
7. Philadelphia 76ers 16-15
8. Boston Celtics 16-16
9. Charlotte Hornets 16-17
10. Toronto Raptors 14-15
11. Atlanta Hawks 14-16
12. New York Knicks 14-17
13. Indiana Pacers 13-19
14. Orlando Magic 7-25
15. Detroit Pistons 5-25
Western Conference
1. Phoenix Suns 25-5
2. Golden State Warriors 25-6
3. Utah Jazz 21-9
4. Memphis Grizzlies 19-13
5. Los Angeles Clippers 17-15
6. Los Angeles Lakers 16-16
7. Dallas Mavericks 15-15
8. Denver Nuggets 15-15
9. Minnesota Timberwolves 15-16
10. Portland Trail Blazers 13-19
11. San Antonio Spurs 12-18
12. Sacramento Kings 13-20
13. Oklahoma City Thunder 11-19
14. New Orleans Pelicans 11-21
15. Houston Rockets 10-22
Photo Credit: Getty Images