Raptors win

Anniversary! Jakob Pöltl makes the hundredth perfect

Jakob Pöltl (l.) defends Nickeil Alexander-Walker

(Bild: AP)

Jakob Pöltl scored the 100th double-double of his career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Thursday (local time). The center contributed 15 points and twelve rebounds in the Toronto Raptors' 110:105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. This was also the fourth time in a row that the 29-year-old Vienna native had scored in double figures. He also added two assists in 28:47 minutes of action.

With the successful revenge for the 101:112 away from home just under a month ago, the Canadians have celebrated two wins in a row for the first time this season. The decisive factor was a 13:1 run to 105:96 within 3:20 minutes at the end of the game. The Raptors now have a record of four wins and twelve defeats.

"It was a cool performance, I'm proud of the team," said a satisfied Pöltl after the win. However, he does not attach any particular importance to his outstanding statistics in recent games. "These are snapshots. Of course they were good games, I'm proud of my performances, but I'm not really interested in statistics or who you compare them to in the past. I'm proud of what I've achieved and I hope I can continue to do that in the future."

Comeback of Scottie Barnes
RJ Barrett scored 31 points for Toronto. Scottie Barnes made his comeback after several weeks of injury (fracture of the right eye socket bone) with glasses as protection. The All Star scored 17 points. Chris Boucher also played well, scoring 22 points.

Starting on Sunday, the Raptors, who are still winless on their eight away games so far, have four away games in a row. The first game is at NBA leaders Cleveland Cavaliers, against whom Toronto lost the opening game of the new season 106:136 in front of their own fans.

San Antonio won without Victor Wembanyama
Pöltl's former club was also successful on Thursday. The San Antonio Spurs won 126-118 against the Utah Jazz even without Victor Wembanyama, who injured his right knee. Led by Harrison Barnes (25 points), eight of the Texans' players scored in double figures.

The Los Angeles Lakers, on the other hand, conceded a narrow home defeat shortly before the end. The German Franz Wagner, who excelled with 37 points, scored for the Orlando Magic with just three seconds remaining to make the final score 119:118.

The two Lakers superstars LeBron James (31 points) and Anthony Davis (39) put in a good performance. However, Davis missed three out of four free throws in the final minute, giving Orlando the opportunity to win and take advantage of it. It was the first defeat for the Lakers after six wins in a row.