By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Putting up a double-double of 34 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists, Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee on the road in Cleveland, helping the Bucks get the 119-111 victory.
“When you put the basketball in the hands of your two best players, you’re going to get good results. If you want to double-team Dame, then I’m going to be open to making a play or getting the ball to my teammates”, the Greek Freak commented after the game.
He wasn’t the only European able to go over 30 points in the night, as Franz Wagner had another amazing 32-point performance (with 9 rebounds) to give Orlando another huge victory, against New York. Paolo Banchero helped him with 29 points and 10 rebounds
The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled the absolute upset by beating the Denver Nuggets and confirming themselves as one of the real threats in the Western Conference. Nikola Jokic had 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, but couldn’t do anything about it.
Elsewhere in the league, Deni Avdija posted 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists in Washington’s win over Brooklyn. Domantas Sabonis had another huge night with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists to lead Sacramento over Atlanta, while Clint Capela had a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Alperen Sengun had one of his now-usual all-around nights with 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists, but the Houston Rockets couldn’t come out with the victory against Philadelphia. With a huge double-double of 24 points and 15 rebounds, Jusuf Nurkic helped Phoenix against Charlotte.
With the Portuguese Neemias Queta coming off the bench for 6 points and 5 rebounds, the Boston Celtics beat Toronto despite Dennis Schroder’s 15 points and 9 assists. Jacob Poeltl added 12 points and 10 rebounds in the Raptors’ defeat. Ivica Zubac had 15 points and 20 boards over Memphis.
NBA Results and other European performances
Orlando Magic – New York Knicks 117-108 (Bitadze 13 p, 7 r; Mo Wagner 7 p, 11 r; Hartenstein 7 p, 3 r, 3 r)
Washington Wizards – Brooklyn Nets 110-104 (Coulibaly 4 p, 6 r)
Atlanta Hawks – Sacramento Kings 110-117 (Bogdan Bogdanovic 12 p, 4 r, 5 a; Len 2 p, 4 r, 4 a)
Boston Celtics – Toronto Raptors 120-118 (O.G. Anunoby 12 p)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Milwaukee Bucks 111-119
Houston Rockets – Philadelphia 76ers 127-131 (Micic 2p, 2 a)
Denver Nuggets – Oklahoma City Thunder 93-119
Phoenix Suns – Charlotte Hornets 133-119
Portland Trail Blazers – San Antonio Spurs 134-128 (Sochan 2 p, 4 r, 4 a; Osman 4 p)
Los Angeles Clippers – Memphis Grizzlies 117-106 (Aldama 12 p, 5 r; Theis 5 p, 2 r)
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 25-6
2. Milwaukee Bucks 24-8
3. Philadelphia 76ers 22-9
4. Miami Heat 19-12
5. Orlando Magic 19-12
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 18-14
7. New York Knicks 17-14
8. Indiana Pacers 16-14
9. Brooklyn Nets 15-17
10. Chicago Bulls 14-19
11. Toronto Raptors 12-19
12. Atlanta Hawks 12-19
13. Charlotte Hornets 7-23
14. Washington Wizards 6-25
15. Detroit Pistons 2-29
Western Conference
1. Minnesota Timberwolves 23-7
2. Oklahoma City Thunder 21-9
3. Denver Nuggets 23-11
4. Los Angeles Clippers 19-12
5. Sacramento Kings 18-12
6. Dallas Mavericks 18-14
7. New Orleans Pelicans 18-14
8. Los Angeles Lakers 17-15
9. Phoenix Suns 16-15
10. Houston Rockets 15-15
11. Golden State Warriors 15-16
12. Utah Jazz 13-19
13. Memphis Grizzlies 10-21
14. Portland Trail Blazers 9-22
15. San Antonio Spurs 5-26
-Teams ranking first through sixth advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh through tenth compete in the Play-Ins
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
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