Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, they have Milwaukee Bucks in the N.B.A both Houston Rockets won.
The Bucks have thus consolidated second place in the table in the East of the North American professional basketball league Boston Celtics, Houston ranks ninth in the West. At the end of the regular season, the top six teams reach the NBA playoffs. Four more teams each Conference identify two other participants. The 16 teams then determine the NBA champion in the playoffs.
Antetokounmpo reaches a career milestone in victory over Houston. In the Bucks’ 128:119 win against the Rockets, the 29-year-old scored 17 rebounds and surpassed club record holder Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with a total of 17,165 rebounds.
Antetokounmpo surpasses Abdul-Jabbar
Antetokounmpo joined the exclusive club of legends who lead their team in the categories of points, assists and rebounds. This was previously only the case for the icons Michael Jordan Chicago BullsLeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves) succeeded.
“This is a great honor,” Antetokounmpo said: “I don’t think anyone expected the skinny kid from Greece to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record.” Twice was enough for top scorer Damian Lillard MVP but not close that evening. The 33-year-old had 39 points, eleven assists and five rebounds, while Antetokounmpo had 26 points and three assists.
Antetokounmpo matched Abdul-Jabbar’s record with his 14th rebound of the game in the final period with 7:46 left on the clock. Nevertheless, the evening ended painfully for him: he had to be treated for a bleeding cut on his arm. For the Bucks, second best team in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics, it was the 13th home win in a row. Houston lost for the first time after five wins.
Wagner brothers lose again to Boston
The Orlando Magic with Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner lost again against them Boston Celtics. Two days after the 111:128 there was a 97:114. The Celtics are now at the top of the Eastern Conference with 20 wins and just five losses. The Magic entered the basketball duel in fourth place and have 16 wins and 9 defeats. However, there have been five of them in the last six games.
from left Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic) and Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
Franz Wagner only hit 3 of his 14 shot attempts from the game and finished the game with 8 points. Moritz Wagner had 6 points. The best thrower was Paolo Banchero with 36 points. But that wasn’t enough against the Celtics’ balanced output, in which all five starting players scored double-digit points. The best thrower for the Celtics was Jaylen Brown with 31 points.
National team? Isiah Hartenstein would be interested
Meanwhile, Isaiah Hartenstein made his interest in the German national basketball team clear, but does not expect to be nominated for the Olympic squad. “I definitely want to play in the future. If I’m invited and I’m fit, then I’ll definitely play. But they’re doing a good job now, so you can’t complain about that. They’ve now won gold and want to probably perform with the same team again,” said the center New York Knicks on the sidelines of the away games in Los Angeles. “I don’t think I’ll be invited to the Olympics under any circumstances.”
Isaiah Hartenstein (New York Knicks)
He last had contact with national coach Gordon Herbert before the World Cup. “Last year I wasn’t invited and neither this year.” Hartenstein, who plays the same position as world champion Daniel Theis, said he doesn’t hold any grudges because of his exclusion. “I understand that. They have this core of people who are always there.” If the German Basketball Association approaches him and wants to, “That I’m playing and I’m healthy and everything is fine with an NBA contract, then I’ll play. But I don’t want to force it either.”