With a double-double and a personal best rebound in the National Basketball Association (NBA), Jakob Pöltl led the Toronto Raptors to a 115:110 once morest the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday (local time). The 27-year-old Viennese recorded 21 points and grabbed 18 rebounds. He also contributed three steals, two assists and a block in 30:27 on the field.
The Raptors’ third straight win was also the center’s 100th in the NBA regular season in Toronto dress. Pöltl made his 140th appearance for the Canadians once morest the Pelicans.
The Viennese team was 92:77 ahead following 36 of the 48 minutes, but had to tremble once more in the finish when New Orleans reduced the lead to 112:110. In the duel with his former teammate Jonas Valanciunas, Pöltl scored ten points and six rebounds in the final section alone. “In the first half we defended fantastically as a team. After the break we had problems in transition defense and they (the Pelicans, ed.) overheated in the fourth quarter, but we rebounded very well and kept our nerve,” commented the home NBA pioneer’s third win in his fourth game since returning to Toronto.
League leaders Boston Celtics won 142-138 following overtime at the Indiana Pacers. Jayson Tatum with 31 and Jaylen Brown with 30 were the top shooters. Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets with a triple-double from 24 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists at 115-109 at the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Serbian center scored in triple double digits for the 22nd time this season. Denver, leaders in the Western Conference, hasn’t lost either of those games.
Thursday’s NBA result (local time): Toronto Raptors (21 points, career best 18 rebounds in 30:27 minutes by Jakob Pöltl) – New Orleans Pelicans 115:110.
