Russell Westbrook comes back for a triple-double for the Washington Wizards, but the capitals are still waiting for their first win. The Orlando Magic suffered their first defeat, and Ben Simmons and Dwight Howard Dreier scored for Philadelphia. The Phoenix Suns celebrate their best start in eleven years.
The Washington Wizards remain without a win, even against decimated Bulls it is not enough.
Indiana Pacers (4-1) – Cleveland Cavaliers (3-2) 119:99
- The Pacers remain one of the pleasant surprises under new coach Nate Bjorkgren. Against the Cavs there was the fourth win in the fifth game – and it was convincing. The leader was once again Domantas Sabonis, who put up 25 points (10/14 FG), 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Support came from Doug McDermott (18, 3/6 threes, 9 boards) coming from the bank.
- Indiana set the direction early on, in the first quarter the hosts sank six threes and gained a quick double-digit lead. Then the again good backcourt around Collin Sexton (28, 12/19 FG) and Darius Garland (21, 5/7 threesome) brought the Cavs up and kept the game exciting at break.
- This was followed by the Sabonis show, who hit all of his five throws for 11 points in the third quarter, and Aaron Holiday (12) also converted his two threesomes. With 31:17 the section went to the hosts, who played out a cushion of up to 21 points. In addition to Sabonis, all the other starters also scored double digits, including Victor Oladipo (16, 8 assists) and Myles Turner (14), who this time only got one block but 4 steals.
- Andre Drummond (11, 4/11 FG, 13 rebounds) had foul problems with the Cavs, especially in the first half, and two starters were missing with No. 5 pick Isaac Okoro (foot) and Kevin Love (calf). Larry Nance Jr. (10, 7 assists), who started for Love on the four, made a good impression again.
- Sexton is now one of the better scorers on the two. The 21-year-old recorded his tenth 20-point game in a row in the last game of the year.
Washington Wizards (0-5) – Chicago Bulls (2-3) 130:132
- It’s getting uncomfortable in the capital. With the second defeat in a row against the Bulls, the Wizards are the only team besides Detroit that is still waiting for a win this season. Russell Westbrook (22 points, 8/18 FG, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) played the fourth triple-double in his fourth game, but that was not enough again.
- The Wizards Guard had a chance to put the Wizards in the lead with 44 seconds remaining but was blocked by Zach LaVine. Bradley Beal (28) also left the next leger 30 seconds later for a possible win, so Otto Porter Jr. and LaVine put the lid on with four free throws.
- That was not to be expected, after all, Chicago was missing four players in Lauri Markkanen, Tomas Satoransky, Chandler Hutchison and Ryan Arcidiacano who were not allowed to be on the team due to the hygiene concept. But Porter (28, 10/14 FG, 12 rebounds, 3 steals) flourished as a power forward and relieved the backcourt of LaVine (22, 6/17) and Coby White (16, 5/16, 10 assists). Daniel Gafford and Thaddeus Young (15 each) provided production from the bank.
- With the wizards, however, there is still a lot of trouble. Rui Hachimura (17) celebrated a good comeback after injury, but Backup Davis Bertans (3, 0/8 FG) was a total failure. In addition to Beal, Thomas Bryant also scored 28 points. Moritz Wagner got a chance for the second time this season and put 5 points (2/3 FG, 1/1 triple), 2 rebounds, but also 4 fouls in 7:27 minutes. Isaac Bonga, however, received a DNP.
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