Despite a gala performance from Jakob Pöltl, the Toronto Raptors suffered their sixth consecutive defeat in the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Friday (local time). 25 points and 19 rebounds from the 29-year-old center from Vienna could not prevent a 95:99 defeat against the Detroit Pistons in front of their home crowd. The Canadians remain bottom of the league with a 2:11 record.
For Pöltl, 25 points meant a season record. With 19 rebounds, including eleven on offense for the second time in the NBA, he also set his personal NBA high, which was only achieved on October 28th. In addition to the sixth double-double of the season, the Viennese recorded three assists and blocks as well as a steal in 35:01 minutes of action. RJ Barrett had 22 points. The Raptors are back in action on Saturday (today). The program includes a guest appearance with the reigning NBA champions Boston Celtics.
Cleveland Cavaliers unstoppable
The Cleveland Cavaliers are still unstoppable. The NBA leader won against the Chicago Bulls 144:126 and thus also the 14th game of the season. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland were the protagonists with 37 and 29 points, respectively. Anthony Davis led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 120-115 win over the San Antonio Spurs with 40 points. LeBron James scored double figures for the fourth time in a row with 15 points, 16 rebounds and twelve assists.
The New York Knicks prevailed in the duel for supremacy in the “Big Apple”. They defeated the Brooklyn Nets 124:122 in the first of four meetings in the NBA regular season. Jalen Brunson scored 37 points and made the decision from distance with six seconds left. The game’s top scorer was Cam Thomas, who scored 43 points for the Nets.
