After four wins in a row, the Toronto Raptors had no chance against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday (local time). The Canadians lost 98:113. Jakob Pöltl recorded 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. The center from Vienna was in action for 27:14 minutes.
The Raptors were only allowed to enjoy a 7:2 lead. After that, the hosts, led by Donovan Mitchell with 35 points, dominated the game. “We didn’t move the ball very well and didn’t hit it very well, while the Cavs had a very strong throw,” Pöltl summed up. The best scorer in Toronto was Pascal Siakam with 25 points. The Canadians host the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. DeMar DeRozan and colleagues travel to Lake Ontario with a 102-82 win over the Washington Wizards.
Damian Lillard was unstoppable on Sunday. The Portland Trail Blazers guard recorded 71 points in the 131-114 against the Houston Rockets, the eighth most points by a player in an NBA game. Only the legendary Wilt Chamberlain (five times) with 100 as the best, Kobe Bryant with 81 and David Thompson with 73 were higher. Donovan Mitchell also holds at 71. A career best by Lillard was also 13 converted long-range shots.
After a 27-point deficit, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks by a score of 111-108. When the stars lined up, the top shooters were Anthony Davis with 30 and LeBron James with 26, as well as Luka Doncic with 26 and Kyrie Irving with 21. The Lakers won for the third year in a row.
The Milwaukee Bucks have already held 14 wins in a row after beating the Phoenix Suns 104:101. In the absence of the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday scored 33 points.
Sunday’s NBA result (local time): Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors (13 points, 9 rebounds in 27:14 minutes by Jakob Pöltl) 118:93.