MADRID, 6 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish power forward Willy Hernangómez completed his best performance of the season this morning with a vindictive ‘double-double’ in the resounding victory (136-104) of the New Orleans Pelicans over the Sacramento Kings, while a starter Santi Aldama surrendered despite of the continuity of the Memphis Grizzlies pothole against the Toronto Raptors without Juancho Hernangómez.
The EuroBasket MVP lived his best night this season and vindicated himself by going from zero prominence to being the ‘main actor’ with the Pelicans, with 22 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block coming off the bench in 28 minutes of play. The Spaniard had just played against the Los Angeles Lakers just a second from the end, and now he has become the fifth New Orleans player to add at least twenty points and more than 15 rebounds this season.
His exhibition, three days before the NBA transfer market closed, contributed to a placid victory for the Pelicans over Sacramento, to continue their victory just 24 hours earlier against the Angelenos, which cut a bad dynamic of 10 losses. Against the Kings, Trey Murphy (30 points) and JC McCollum (24) were the leaders of those from Louisiana, who remain in play-in positions, with Sacramento in the playoffs.
On the other hand, Santi Aldama from the Canary Islands started against the Raptors and contributed 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks, although Memphis lost again, but did not lose second place in the West. Ricky Rubio continues to improve sensations on the track and played 20 minutes to add 7 points, 3 rebounds and 9 assists in the victory of the Cavaliers (103-122) against the Indiana Pacers.
–SPANISH PLAYERS STATISTICS:
WILLY HERNANGÓMEZ: 22 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block.
SANTI ALDAMA: 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks.
RICKY RUBIO: 7 points, 3 rebounds and 9 assists.