Spanish NBA players experienced mixed fortunes as strong individual performances from Aday Mara and Baba Miller ended in losses, while Hugo González contributed to a victory for the Boston Celtics.
Aday Mara recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 123-103 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center, El Correo reported. The center played 26 minutes, adding two assists and one block.
The performance followed expectations set after his NCAA championship run with the Michigan Wolverines in April and his selection 12th overall in the NBA draft. The Thunder fell to a 8-3 record, dropping to fifth in the Western Conference.
Portland secured the win behind 25 points from Damian Lillard, moving to eighth in the West at 7-3. Deni Avdija added 24 points and eight assists for the Trail Blazers.
Oklahoma City played without Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace, and Jaylin Williams due to injuries. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 26 points on 8-of-22 shooting.
Baba Miller scored a career-high 13 points for Los Angeles Clippers in a defeat against the Phoenix Suns, setting a personal best, El Correo reported. The forward shot 4-for-4 from the field in 16 minutes off the bench.
Miller added four rebounds and finished with a plus-9 rating on the floor. The Suns claimed the victory to reach a 4-6 record in the Western Conference.
The Clippers dropped to 2-8, ranking near the bottom of the standings. Los Angeles currently ranks fourth in the West in points allowed per game.
Hugo González contributed 10 points, three rebounds, and two assists in 19 minutes during the Boston Celtics’ 123-101 win over the Philadelphia 76ers at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, El Correo reported. The game marked the first meeting between Jaylen Brown and his former team since joining Philadelphia.
Paul George led Boston with 36 points and five rebounds against his former club. Jayson Tatum added 21 points and six rebounds as the Celtics improved to 9-2 to lead the Eastern Conference.
The Oklahoma City Thunder next face their upcoming regular season opponents following Wednesday’s contest, while the Boston Celtics continue their Eastern Conference schedule atop the standings.
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