By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Surviving a back-and-forth battle, Monbus Obradoiro clinched the win, 76-74, over FC Barcelona Saturday.
Philip Scrubb driving inside for a 2+1 play was the last successful reply with 5.4 seconds remaining in the Liga Endesa Regular Season Round 10 contest. Apart from the last three points, he dropped two more of his 15 points in the fourth quarter. His brother, Thomas Scrubb recorded nine of his own 13 points in the last ten minutes. Despite missing key players Dragan Bender, Marcus Paige, and Leo Westermann, Obradoiro managed to improve to 4-6.
Nicolas Laprovittola got to 15 points in the losing effort. With 41.4 seconds left, the Argentine point guard sinking a couple of free throws shaped the last lead for the team coached by Sarunas Jasikevicius. But not enough to extend the four-game winning streak across all competitions instead of falling to 7-3 in the ACB. Nikola Mirotic followed with 14 points but missed the final chance to deliver yet another lead-changing response as time ran out.
Nikola Kalinic (personal) was a late scratch but is expected to rejoin the team in the next practice with the focus back on the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the Regular Season Round 12 meeting opposite LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. As for injured players, Alex Abrines, Sertac Sanli, and Sergi Martinez remained sidelined.
Streaking Unicaja and Hakanson shines once more
Seventh straight win between the ACB and the Basketball Champions League for Unicaja. The Malaga outfit crushed Casademont Zaragoza, 104-78, on the way to a domestic tally of 7-3. Tyson Carter and Tyler Kalinoski set their season bests at 24 and 21 points, respectively.
Ludvig Hakanson produced a personal best in club competition with 27 points, including ten in the fourth quarter as Surne Bilbao latched to the win, 76-72, over Gran Canaria. His side got to 6-4 forcing the losing side to 7-3.
Another team jumping to 6-4, Joventut Badalona marched to the win, 90-68, against Baxi Manresa downing the hosts to 2-8. The bad news was Simon Birgander hurting the middle finger of his right hand and being slated for surgery.
Photo Credit: Barca Basket Twitter