The Los Angeles Lakers escaped a defeat against the Houston Rockets only with luck, and the Jazz also struggled with a supposedly weaker opponent. Chris Paul climbed even higher on an all-time list.
Detroit Pistons (1-6) – Milwaukee Bucks (4-4) 89:117 (BOXSCORE)
- After three defeats in a row, the Bucks easily got back on the road to victory against the Pistons, even without several top performers. Giannis Antetokounmpo made sure of that, with 28 points (9/16 FG), 8 rebounds and 9 assists not far from the triple-double. In addition, the Greek Freak blocked 4 throws, hit 3/7 from downtown and was flawless on the free throw line in 7 attempts.
- “Thank God we won a game,” joked Antetokounmpo after the game: “I was worried that we would fill up for the No. 1 pick.” With Brook Lopez (back injury) on the sidelines, the 26-year-old played many of his 27 minutes as a center, but that did not inspire him. “I realized today that I hate playing center. I’ve never valued Brook as much as I do today. Please come back quickly, Brook,” said Antetokounmpo.
- In the absence of Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Donte DiVincenzo, George Hill (4), Grayson Allen (8) and Thanasis Antetokounmpo (9, 4/4 FG) slipped into the starting lineup of the Bucks, in which only Pat Connaughton (16, 4 / 5 3FG) scored double digits. Jordan Nwora (16), Bobby Portis (12, 8 rebounds) and Justin Robinson (11, 3/6 3FG) contributed constant offense coming from the bench.
- On the other hand, Cade Cunningham hasn’t really made it into the NBA yet. The top pick came with miserable odds of 2/14 from the field and 0/9 from downtown to a measly 6 points, plus he played 3 assists. But only Jerami Grant (21, 8/13 FG) did much better with the Pistons, Detroit as a team only hit 32.3 percent of its field throws and 17 percent from a distance.
Dallas Mavericks (4-3) – Miami Heat (6-1) 110:125 (MATCH REPORT)
Utah Jazz (6-1) – Sacramento Kings (3-4) 119:113 (BOXSCORE)
- Fewer fouls, hardly any free throws, no problem for Donovan Mitchell: Spida had no problems with the tougher line of the referees against the Kings this season, only 3 of his 36 points (14/30 FG) came from the free throw line. Mitchell grabbed five of his eight rebounds on the opposing board and distributed six assists.
- With a total of 33 points on second chance (14 for Sacramento), the Jazz saved themselves in a game in which they only hit 29.2 percent from a distance (38.7 for Kings). Utah dominated the Kings on both boards, giving the Jazz a 74:47 advantage of rebounds.
- Mike Conley, who sank 6/9 triples on the way to 30 points, and Bojan Bogdanovic (20, 7/11 FG) were even more efficient. Rudy Gobert put on a strong double-double with 13 counters and 20 rebounds. Very little came from the otherwise strong reservist duo Jordan Clarkson (2, 1/13 FG) and Joe Ingles (3, 1/4 FG) for Jazz, so the game was only decided in the last minute.
- The Kings distributed the offensive load on significantly more shoulders and brought seven players in double digits, led by Harrison Barnes (23, 7/14 FG). That was also necessary because their best player De’Aaron Fox didn’t get off to a good start to the season and only scored 4/15 for 13 points and 9 assists against Utah. Rookie Davion Mitchell (18, 7/15 FG) and Buddy Hield (19, 5/7 3FG) did better when they came off the bench.
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