NBA practice games for basketball started this week. The season starts in two weeks.
Basketball in the NBA Lauri Markkanen the team Utah Jazz played the first practice game of the season against another NBA team. Utah defeated the Houston Rockets by a score of 122–113.
Markkanen, who scored the most points for his team, scored 17 points. Despite that, the Finn’s throwing accuracy left room for improvement.
Out of 11 shots in the game, only three sank in the basket and not a single three-point shot attempt was successful. Instead, Markkanen missed all 13 of his attempts at the free throw line.
In addition, the Finn grabbed four rebounds and gave one pass that led to a basket. Markkanen got 24 minutes of playing time.
Houston scored the most points Jalen Green (21 points).
Utah had played one practice game earlier when it faced off Petteri Koponen coached by the New Zealand Breakers.
Iisalon’s Memphis beat Dallas
Tuomas Iisalon coached by the Memphis Grizzlies met the Dallas Mavericks in their first practice game. Memphis knocked off last season’s NBA finalist 121-116.
Of the Memphis players, the player who scored the most points was Brandon Clarke with 17 points. Dallas scored the most points Jaden Hardy (21 points).
Dallas’ lineup was missing many of the team’s star players, such as Luka Doncic.
Iisalo, who started as Memphis’ assistant coach in the summer, is the first Finnish-born NBA coach. He plays a leading role in the team’s offensive play.
Utah and Memphis will meet in the NBA season opener on October 24.