The Toronto Raptors have won a Brooklyn Nets thriller, but lost playmaker Kyle Lowry. The New Orleans Pelicans also celebrate a bittersweet success. Anthony Davis leaves the game early. The Golden State Warriors are taking revenge on the Denver Nuggets and for the Los Angeles Clippers a Nobody of the Day.
You have to do that first. The reservists of the Bucks were unable to score a single point on the scoreboard by more than three-quarters. To defend them, however, it must also be said that together they only took five throws. But with so little support, it’s hard to win a game.
But even the starters of the Bucks didn’t see much sun. After Milwaukee had won a week ago with 21 points against the Pacers, this time Indiana dominated. The hosts sunk 18 of their first 25 throws and set the course for the game. A 22:2 run at the end of the first quarter set the course for early victory (37:16).
As a result, it was a straightforward matter. Indiana dominated the zone (60:42) and forced numerous ball losses of the Bucks (17). Giannis Antetokounmpo (17.3/8 FG, 11/14 FT) was also only able to collect points at the free-throw line. The Pacers led with up to 29 points. The fourth quarter was exclusively Garbage Time, in which Milwaukee was able to brighten up the result a bit. Sterling Brown won with 11 points (4/4 FG).
Victor Oladipo scored 15 points like Myles Turner (3 blocks). At Milwaukee, Khris Middleton (19) was the best scorer.
The Raptors got away with horror in two ways in Brooklyn. After a strong start of the guests (15:3) the Nets stabilized. It should have been Toronto’s highest command in the game. A well-balanced encounter developed and Toronto seemed to have the longer breath. 4:30 minutes before the end, the guests led with 10 points, but Brooklyn was not beaten.
Spencer Dinwiddie (31.8 Assists) dropped from downtown to two points, while DeMar DeRozan (35 points, 6 assists) failed to hit his patented stepback jumper. Allen Crabbe (20) moved resolutely to the basket and equalled the match 9 seconds to go (107:107). DeRozan tried again, but again the Jumper didn’t want to fall. There was prolongation and this was close and fiercely contested.
But then there was the shock for Toronto. Kyle Lowry (18,11 Assists) fell hard on the ground one minute before the end of the OT in the fight for the offensive rebounds and had to be carried off the field by his teammates. The Raptors announced after the game that the Point Guard is suffering from acute back problems. Further investigations will follow tomorrow.
Immediately afterwards Dinwiddie brought his colours back to the front (113:111), but this time DeRozan had the right answer. The shooting guard pulled on the watch towards the basket for another 26 seconds and sunk the floater. The foul was on top and the free-throw was on. The Nets then played down the clock and Dinwiddie tried again with the drive. However, he was well defended and his laying attempt touched only the top edge of the board. Game Over.
In addition to the backcourt, Jonas Valanciunas convinced Toronto with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Serge Ibaka (11.12 rebounds) also recorded a double-double. Jakob Pöltl played only 10 minutes and came to 2 points (1/3 FG) and 3 rebounds. At Brooklyn Rookie Jarrett Allen (14.5/5 FG) played another good game. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (13,17 Rebounds also caused the Raptors a lot of problems.
The Rockets started hot in the United Center and led quickly with 21 points, but Chicago are known to be a better team than a good month ago and returned to the game. Bobby Portis in particular gave the Bulls a needed push and scored 16 of his 22 points in the first half.
But Houston didn’t let that unsettle him. After the third quarter had been even for a long time, the rockets set themselves off again with an 8:0 run to the end of the section in double digits. Gerald Green and Chris Paul sank their distance throws ice-cold. As a result, the top team from the West left nothing to be desired and rocked the game home confidently.
The main reason for this was the distance throw. Houston nailed 20 threesomes into the basket at 54 attempts. Trevor Ariza (18) alone sunk six. These were not only played out by CP3 (24 points, 9 assists). Eric Gordon also got the same statline as Point God. Gerald Green gave the thin bank a boost and sprinkled 22 points.
Meanwhile, the Bulls had to forego their microwave oven from the bank, Nikola Mirotic (sick). Beside Portis Denzel Valentine and Kris Dunn (19 each) scored best. Lauri Markkanen scored 16 points (6/10 FG) and 8 rebounds. Paul Zipser played 9 minutes and pocketed two free throws and got a steal.
Page 1: Raptors Win OT Crime and Lose Lowry
Page 2: Pelicans win and fear for Davis – Bertans-Show
Page 3: Warriors take revenge – Clippers-Nobody with Gamewinner