Thursday night was five times the fun with five games in the NBA, three of which featured African players.
Wiggins dominates as Wolves win
It was another monster night for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Andrew Wiggins, whose 35-point 10-rebound double-double helped his team defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 110-86. The team’s second double-double came from Karl-Anthony Towns, with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Senegalese centre Gorgui Dieng had the team’s third with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Cameroonian sensation centre Joel Embiid was back in the lineup with a 10-point 10-rebound double-double, Dario Saric led the Sixers in scoring with 16 points and four rebounds, while Nik Stauskas finished with 13 points and five rebounds.
Triple-double Harden too good for Blazers
The Houston Rockets held down home court and defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 126-109. James Harden had another triple-double with 26 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists, Eric Gordon and Trevor Ariza combined for 32 with 16 apiece, while Swiss-Congolese centre Clint Capela ended the game with 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
CJ McCollum led Portland with 26 points, three rebounds and four assists, Damian Lillard had 18 points, five rebounds and five assists, Maurice Harkless had 19 points and six rebounds, while Liberian Noah Vonleh finished with nine points, three rebounds and two blocks.
Heat roast Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks suffered a 96-73 defeat at the hands of the Miami Heat. Dion Waiters led the Heat with 23 points, seven rebounds and four rebounds, Hassan Whiteside had a double-double with 12 points and 17 rebounds, while Josh Richardson finished with 18 points and three rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists, Tony Snell had 14 points and six rebounds, while Michael Beasley finished with a 13-point 10-rebound double-double. Sudanese-Australian Thon Maker did not play.
Wizards sink Knicks
The New York Knicks lost 119-112 to the Wizards in Washington. John Wall led the Wizards with a 23-point 11-assist double-double, Otto Porter Jr had 21 points and eight rebounds, while Bradley Beal ended the game with 18 points, two rebounds and five assists.
Derrick Rose led the Knicks with 27 points, Carmelo Anthony had 19 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Brandon Jennings ended the game with a 17-point 10-assist double-double.
Bulls trample Jazz
The boys from the windy city took Utah as the Chicago Bulls defeated the Jazz 85-77. Jimmy Butler led the Bulls with his 20-point 12-rebound double-double, another double-double came from Robin Lopez who had 10 points and 12 rebounds, while Dwyane Wade finished with 18 points, two rebounds and an assist.
Utah were led by Rudy Gobert’s 16-point 13-rebound double-double, Dante Exum had 14 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Gordon Hayward ended the game with eight points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals.
By Kaunda Chama
