By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Luka Dončić couldn’t lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a fourth-quarter ejection, but many other European stars emerged victorious in last night’s NBA action.
The Milwaukee Bucks erased a 24-point deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 110–103, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way.
The Greek international recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists on 9/15 shooting from the field, scoring 13 points in the final quarter as the Bucks rallied back from a 71–95 deficit.
Antetokounmpo is averaging 32.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 12.8 assists over his last four games, leading Milwaukee to four straight victories.
Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 119–117 after overtime at Madison Square Garden, with Kristaps Porzingis shining.
The Latvian center led all scorers with 34 points on 11/19 shooting (8/13 from three) and 4/6 from the free-throw line in around 39 minutes on the court. Interestingly, he holds a 6–1 record against the Knicks as a Celtic. OG Anunoby added 13 points and eight rebounds for the losing side.
American international with Italian roots, Paolo Banchero, powered the Orlando Magic to a 119–112 win over the Atlanta Hawks with 33 points and 10 rebounds, while Franz Wagner also played a big role, contributing 22 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Zaccharie Risacher had eight points, and Vit Krejci added three for the defeated Hawks.
The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Charlotte Hornets on the road 124–100, with Santi Aldama scoring 11 points. Tidjane Salaün contributed 13 points and nine rebounds for the hosts, while Moussa Diabaté added 10 points.
Matas Buzelis’ 19-point effort wasn’t enough for the Chicago Bulls in Ohio, as the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised to a 135–113 win. Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards fell to the Indiana Pacers 104–98 on the road, despite Alex Sarr’s double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Croatian Karlo Matković had 17 points and four rebounds in the New Orleans Pelicans’ 119–114 road loss to the Brooklyn Nets, but his fellow countryman Ivica Zubac shined in the LA Clippers’ 122–117 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
The Clippers’ big man posted 24 points and 20 rebounds, while Serbian national team captain Bogdan Bogdanović followed with 19 points and four assists.
Charlotte Hornets – Memphis Grizzlies 100-124
Cleveland Cavaliers – Chicago Bulls 135-113
Indiana Pacers – Washington Wizards 104-98
Orlando Magic – Atlanta Hawks 119-112
Brooklyn Nets – New Orleans Pelicans 119-114
New York Knicks – Boston Celtics 117-119 OT
Milwaukee Bucks – Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103
Oklahoma City Thunder – LA Lakers 136-120
Phoenix Suns – Golden State Warriors 95-133
LA Clippers – San Antonio Spurs 122-117