By Semih Tuna/ Stuna@eurohoops.net
On the winning end of the slow-paced affair, Spain bested Turkey, 72-69, Wednesday.
Willy Hernangomez checked out with nine points in six minutes and went on to record a team-high 15 points, including a couple of free throws in the dying moments of the tight contest. The New Orleans Pelicans forward/center additionally pulled down seven rebounds.
Following on the list of the players with the highest efficiency rating, Toronto Raptors’ Juan Hernangomez produced eight points and seven rebounds, and Usman Garuba of the Houston Rockets added four points, five rebounds, and two steals. A recent addition to La Roja, Lorenzo Brown packed 11 points as his side clinched the top seed in 2022 EuroBasket Group A.
Cleveland Cavaliers small forward Cedi Osman went for 20 points, Furkan Korkmaz of the Philadelphia 76ers had 16 points, and Alperen Sengun of the Rockets fouled out with 14 points. The NBA players accounted for 72% of the points scored in Gameday 5.
“It was a tight game. Both teams struggled in the offense. The only difference was Spain grabbing 19 offensive rebounds and Shane’s [Larkin] mistake in one of the last possessions,” Ergin Ataman summed up the game. The mentioned offensive rebounds prompted the 19-7 advantage for Spain in second-chance points. The Turkey boss added Shane Larkin will travel to Istanbul to get an MRI.
Overcoming ruling out Rudy Fernandez, Spain improved to 4-1 and forced Turkey down to 3-2 and into the second seed. Later games in Tbilisi Arena today will determine the two remaining national teams following on the trip to Berlin, Germany.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL