The Contenders from the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets have achieved clear victories. In the game against the Detroit Pistons, however, Nets star Kevin Durant is sent to the shower early. The Lakers win thanks to a strong defense. The decimated Milwaukee Bucks lose the top game against Utah.
Dallas Mavericks (4-2) – Sacramento Kings (3-3) 105:99 (SPIELBERICHT)
Charlotte Hornets (5-2) – Portland Trail Blazers (3-3) 125:113 (BOXSCORE)
- The Charlotte Hornets are a much deeper team than last year, the game against the Blazers underlined this once more. Against Portland five players scored at least 12 points, the top scorer was the last ailing LaMelo Ball, who put up 27 points (10/20 FG), 9 rebounds and 7 assists.
- When it comes to depth, Kelly Oubre Jr., who came off the bench, posted 13 of his 26 points (6/11 threes) in the fourth quarter. “He was fantastic,” enthused coach James Borrego. “That’s why we brought him in and we believe in him. He will play an important role.” The previous shooting star of the Hornets season, Miles Bridges, scored 19 points and contributed a career record of 9 assists to the win.
- The Blazers got off to a better start, taking an 8-point lead into the dressing room before the game tipped over. Damian Lillard (14, 12 assists) had no luck at all and sank just two of his 14 attempts from a distance. The guests’ best scorers were CJ McCollum (25, 10/24 FG) and reservist Anfernee Simons (19, 5/8 threesome). Center Jusuf Nurkic (13, 14 rebounds) came up with a double-double.
- Against a Charlotte team unleashed in the second half, however, was no match. The Hornets played 36 assists, Including this fabulous no-look pass from Bridges over your shoulder. In addition, the hosts scored excellently from a distance, 20 of 42 attempts were sat. The Blazers also took a whopping 54 triples, but sank only 17 of them.
Milwaukee Bucks (3-4) – Utah Jazz (5-1) 95:107 (BOXSCORE)
- It could have been a real heavyweight fight, but injury-ridden Bucks could do little to oppose the top team from the west. Milwaukee suffered their third loss in a row without the injured Khris Middleton (sick), Jrue Holiday (ankle) and Brook Lopez (back) and did not lead a single second during the 48 minutes.
- On the Jazz side, Donovan Mitchell underlined his good early form, the Shooting Guard was the best scorer of his colors with 28 points (10/18 FG). The All-Star set the course for victory early on, in the first quarter alone Mitchell sank each of his three distance throws. Utah got off to a red-hot start as a team and took a double-digit lead.
- They did not give them up in the episode – a 12-2 run in the fourth quarter was the decision – and thus rehabilitated themselves for the bankruptcy in Chicago. Mike Conley (20, 6/11 FG) had a solid day, as did Rudy Gobert (9, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks). Jordan Clarkson got 15 points, but missed each of his seven attempts from a distance. Thus, for the incumbent Sixth Man of the Year, a series of 99 consecutive games with at least one converted three-point was broken.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (25, 10/20 FG, 7 rebounds, 6 assists) fought back at the Bucks – like for example with this block against Gobert – However, the Greek also took a whopping 11 three-point throws, of which he only hit three. Grayson Allen (18) and Bobby Portis (15) also brought some scoring.
- Meanwhile, the Bucks’ injury list could get even longer, reserve guard Rodney Hood injured his hand in the first half and will soon be examined.
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