By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Despite Davis Bertans’ absence due to a minor injury, Latvia crushed Belgium 92 – 64 to clinch its first win in Group D of the EuroBasket.
The Star(s): Such a beautiful game by Kristaps Porzingis and Janis Timma. They both dropped international career-highs with 27 points apiece while providing bits of help anywhere on the floor. Timma also grabbed 7 rebounds while the “Unicorn” added 6.
Oh, and he also delivered this massive highlight…
Axel Hervelle was the only player from Belgium to score in double-figures, finishing with 12.
We should also note the spectacular playmaking impact of Janis Strelnieks, who made a Latvian national team assists record with his 13 dimes. He also scored 9 points.
The decisive time frame: Pierre Gillet (9 points, 5 rebounds) kept Belgium at a distance, dropping the downtown bucket for the 63 – 58, almost one minute into the final period. But that was when the Latvian machine went full speed on high level, with Porzingis dominating his territory on both ends and leading his team through an incredible 23 – 0 (!) run that turned the “Game Over” sign over Ulker Arena.
The key second period: Latvia had dominated in the second period to grab a 14-point lead, 47 – 33 when the two teams head to the locker room for the halftime break. That number was enough to repel a counterattack by their opponents during the third quarter (16-22) during which the “Lions” had even made it a two-possession game, 58 – 52.
(Photo credit: FIBA.basketball)