By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nine games took place on Friday, counting toward both the 2026–27 NBA Regular Season and the Emirates NBA Cup 2026. The slate included a fourth-quarter push by the Miami Heat, who pulled away for a 133–121 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Kaseya Center.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo shared a game-high 37 points. The Greek point forward shot 15-for-20 from the floor alongside nine rebounds, two assists, and one block. Italian Simone Fontecchio saw 7:26 of floor time, Serbian Nikola Jovic stayed on the bench, and Swedish guard Pelle Larsson sat out with an illness. For the Cavs, Croatian Mario Hezonja got four points.
At Toyota Center, the Houston Rockets edged out the Utah Jazz 125–118 behind Alperen Sengun, who neared his career-high with 43 points and grabbed 12 boards in a monster double-double. Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic added 11 points off the bench. On the wrong end, Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk went scoreless in seven minutes.
Franz Wagner powers Orlando
Over at Kia Center, German Franz Wagner carried the Orlando Magic to a 107–99 triumph against the Milwaukee Bucks. He finished one assist shy of a triple-double with 35 points, 12 rebounds, and nine dimes. Fellow German Tristan da Silva returned from a left calf strain and put up 12 points as a starter. Off the bench, Georgian Goga Bitadze put 12 points and Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic had two. For Milwaukee, French Ousmane Dieng started but played just 4:47 without scoring, and Italian Nate Ament netted nine points, but Lithuanian Kasparas Jakucionis and Serbian Bogoljub Markovic never checked in.
In a close contest at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Croatian starter Ivica Zubac recorded 12 points and 13 rebounds as the Indiana Pacers held off the New York Knicks, 106–104. Starting for the defending champions, British OG Anunoby finished with 11 points, with French teammates Pacome Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara ranging from 69 seconds to a DNP.
At United Center, the Chicago Bulls outlasted the Atlanta Hawks 125–117 in overtime after blowing an 18-point lead. Josh Giddey paved the way with a triple-double, while Lithuanian Matas Buzelis contributed 11 points, and French reserve Noa Essengue supplied five.
Coached by Finn Tuomas Iisalo, the Memphis Grizzlies routed the New Orleans Pelicans 142–111 at Smoothie King Center. European involvement was brief, with Croatian Karlo Matkovic sinking one free throw for the Pels.
Friday games
Orlando Magic – Milwaukee Bucks 107-99
Indiana Pacers – New York Knicks 106-104
New Orleans Pelicans – Memphis Grizzlies 111-142
Miami Heat – Cleveland Cavaliers 133-121
Chicago Bulls – Atlanta Hawks 125-117 OT (110-110)
Houston Rockets – Utah Jazz 125-118
San Antonio Spurs – Golden State Warriors (3:30 CET)
Sacramento Kings – Portland Trail Blazers (4:00 CET)
Los Angeles Clippers – Oklahoma City Thunder (4:30 CET)
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