By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo kicked a hole in a sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder logo at halftime, later led the Milwaukee Bucks to the 121-119 win at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, before apologizing for his actions. The Greek Freak scored 24 out of his 35 points in the second half following his outburst, had 16 boards, three dimes, one steal and one rejection as well. Ersan Ilyasova notched four points and four rebounds, Thanasis Antetokounmpo did not play and Dragan Bender was inactive.
The hosts extended their 2019-20 NBA Regular Season run with some European flavor of their own, but dropped to 4-6. German Dennis Schroder posted a team-high 25 points behind 9/12 from the field, added six rebounds, five dimes and three steals on his stat sheet in 30 minutes of work from the bench. Danilo Gallinari finished with 14 points with 2/7 inside the rainbow and 2/10 beyond the arc, notched seven rebounds, three assists and a couple of interceptions as well.
Nikola Jokic banked the game-winner for the Denver Nuggets for the second game in row sinking a fadeaway jumper with 2.4 seconds left to send the Denver Nuggets over the Minnesota Timberwolves, 100-98, in overtime. The 24-year-old Serbian big ended up with 20 points at the Target Center on Sunday, also tallied seven dimes, six rebounds, one steal and one block. Teammate Juan Hernangomez did not play, Vlatko Cancar was inactive.
Ricky Rubio with 22 points and 12 assists to go along with four rebounds and a pair of steals guided the Phoenix Suns to the 138-112 victory versus the Brooklyn Nets at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. Dario Saric contributed with 12 points, four boards, three assists and one steal, Elie Okobo posted four points, two dimes and one steal. Dzanan Musa had 12 points and six rebounds in losing effort, Rodions Kurucs three points, one board and one interception, but Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot was inactive.
Domantas Sabonis posted a 21-point, 16-rebound double-double to go along with his seven assists, one interception and one block for the Indiana Pacers in the 109-102 win against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center. Goga Bitadze remained sidelined, Naz Mitrou-Long was inactive. For the losing side, Evan Fournier made six threes for 22 points, also had six dimes, three rebounds and one rejection, Nikola Vucevic added 18 points, 17 boards, three assists, a pair of blocks and one steal.
Another impressive European display saw Furkan Korkmaz go for 17 points, five rebounds, four dimes and two steals for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 114-106 victory against the Charlotte Hornets at the Wells Fargo Center. The visitors did not have any European participation with Willy Hernangomez remaining on the bench and injured Nicolas Batum sidelined.
Cedi Osman was held to five points, five assists, two boards and one steal, but the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the New York Knicks, 108-87, at the Madison Square Garden. European teammate Ante Zizic stayed on the injury list. The hosts’ Frank Ntilikina had four points, six rebounds, six dimes, two steals and two rejections, Ignas Brazdeikis made two points and blocked one shot.
Mario Hezonja sank three points, also posted three dimes, two steals and two rebounds for the Portland Trail Blazers in the 124-113 overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks at the Moda Center. European teammate Jaylen Hoard grabbed one rebound, while Jusuf Nurkic and Pau Gasol remained out. Alex Len had four points, two boards and a couple of blocks for the visitors.
With Serge Ibaka on the injury list, OG Anunoby posted seven points, three rebounds and one steal, and Marc Gasol two points, seven boards and two dimes for the Toronto Raptors in the 113-104 win against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. The hosts’ Kostas Antetokounmpo was inactive.
Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 7-1
2. Toronto Raptors 7-2
3. Milwaukee Bucks 7-3
4. Miami Heat 6-3
5. Philadelphia 76ers 6-3
6. Indiana Pacers 6-4
7. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-5
8. Brooklyn Nets 4-5
9. Charlotte Hornets 4-6
10. Detroit Pistons 4-6
11. Atlanta Hawks 3-6
12. Orlando Magic 3-7
13. Chicago Bulls 3-7
14. Washington Wizards 2-6
15. New York Knicks 2-8
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 7-2
2. Denver Nuggets 7-2
3. Houston Rockets 6-3
4. Utah Jazz 6-3
5. Phoenix Suns 6-3
6. Los Angeles Clippers 6-3
7. Dallas Mavericks 6-3
8. San Antonio Spurs 5-4
9. Minnesota Tmberwolves 5-4
10. Portland Trail Blazers 4-6
11. Oklahoma City Thunder 4-6
12. Sacramento Kings 3-6
13. New Orleans Pelicans 2-7
14. Memphis Grizzlies 2-7
15. Golden State Warriors 2-8