By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to the court after a five-game absence and led Milwaukee Bucks to a convincing 150-130 win over Detroit Pistons.
The Greek freak shook the rust off immediately, scoring 20 of his 29 points in the first quarter, as the Bucks went two points shy of the NBA record with 49 points in the first 12 minutes. He also grabbed 12 rebounds.
“I was trying to be aggressive, and some shots fell,” Giannis said.
Two-time MVP had problems with the left knee but successfully returned to the court alongside his faithful sidekick Khris Middleton, as the Bucks’ dynamic duo played their first game together after more than a month.
“The band is back together,” Antetokounmpo said after the game.
On the other side of the court, Bojan Bogdanovic had a great night, scoring 33 points, but it didn’t help immensely to the Michigan team.
Sacramento Kings crushed Memphis at home 133-100, leading for almost 48 minutes.
Surprisingly, Domantas Sabonis was just the fifth scorer of the winning side, but the big man from Lithuania got another triple-double with 14 points, 11 assists, and ten rebounds.
He helped his team achieve the largest win margin of the season, score the most points against Memphis ever, and was a big part of the team’s season-high rebounds – 53.
Santi Aldama scored eight points for the losing side, who played without Ja Morant and Steven Adams.
Orlando Magic got a 113-98 win against the Boston Celtics, the third in a row against Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and friends. No team has beaten Boston more this season.
Paolo Banchero led the way for the Boston team with 23 points. It was his 25th 20-point game this season, as he leads all rookies.
Franz Wagner scored 15 points, his brother Moritz five, while Jonathan Isaac played his first NBA game after 904 days out due to a knee injury and scored 10 points. He received standing ovations when he checked in for the first time.
Chicago Bulls defeated Atlanta Hawks 111-100, with a near triple-double performance from Nikola Vucevic.
The big man from Montenegro had 14 points, 17 rebounds, and seven assists, while Clint Capela had a double-double of 16 points and 12 boards, and Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 11 points for the losing side
Houston Rockets got a rare win, as they defeated Minnesota Timberwolves at home 119-114.
Alperen Sengun had another great night with 21 points, seven rebounds, and assists. Rudy Gobert got a solid double-double on the other side with 15 points and 16 rebounds.
Utah Jazz defeated Charlotte Hornets 120-102, mostly thanks to another great game from Lauri Markkanen.
The Finish player had 25 points and 11 rebounds, as Simone Fontecchio added three points for the Salt Lake City team.
Portland Trail Blazers won against San Antonio Spurs at home 147-127.
Jusuf Nurkic was among the best on the winning team, with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.
Jeremy Sochan had a very good game for the Spurs, scoring 18 points with six rebounds and four assists.
NBA results:
Milwaukee Bucks – Detroit Pistons 150-130 (Bogdanovic 33p – G. Antetokounmpo 29p, 12r, T. Antetokounmpo 2p, 2r)
Orlando Magic – Boston Celtics 113-98 (Banchero 23p, F. Wagner 15p, M. Wagner 5p)
Chicago Bulls – Atlanta Hawks 111-100 (Vucevic 14p, 17r, 7as – Capela 16p, 12r, Bogdanovic 11p)
Houston Rockets – Minnesota Timberwolves 119-114 (Sengun 21p, 7r, 7as – Gobert 15p, 16r)
Utah Jazz – Charlotte Hornets 120-102 (Markkanen 25p, 11r, Fontecchio 3p)
Portland Trail Blazers – San Antonio Spurs 147-127 (Nurkic 25p, 11r, 7as – Sochan 18p)
Sacramento Kings – Memphis Grizzlies 133-100 (Sabonis 14p, 10r, 11as, Len 2r, 1as – Aldama 8p)
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Boston 35-13
2. Philadelphia 30-16
3. Milwaukee 30-17
4. Brooklyn 29-17
5. Cleveland 29-19
6. Miami Heat 26-22
7. New York 25-23
8. Atlanta 24-24
9. Indiana 23-25
10. Chicago 22-24
11. Toronto 21-27
12. Washington 20-26
13. Orlando 18-29
14. Charlotte 13-35
15. Detroit 12-37
Western Conference
1. Denver 33-14
2. Memphis 31-16
3. Sacramento 27-19
4. New Orleans 26-21
5. Dallas 25-23
6. LA Clippers 25-24
7. Phoenix 24-24
8. Utah 25-25
9. Minnesota 24-25
10. Golden State 23-24
11. Oklahoma 23-24
12. LA Lakers 22-25
13. Portland 22-25
14. San Antonio 14-33
15. Houston 11-36