By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Georgia surely loves its thrillers, as was evident by last night’s win vs Israel. Only this time, Italy (Marco Belinelli 15 points) managed to repel its opponents’ fourth-quarter comeback and take a 71 – 69 win that gives them third place in the Group and sends them to face Finland in the first round of the playoffs.
Georgia still has mathematical chances to advance and wants already eliminated Israel to defeat Ukraine.
Jesus Saves: Not only did Gigi Datome score 14 points, grab 5 rebounds and dish out 4 assists but also made the play of the game with a massive stop on Giorgi Shermadini’s (13 points) lay-up attempt to force an overtime in the very last second.
Dixon’s opus, not enough: The game wouldn’t have evolved in such manner if not for Mike Dixon’s insane efforts (29 points, 4 steals). With assistance by Toko Shengelia (13 points) and Zaza Pachulia (9 points, 12 rebounds), he led Georgia through a 0-12 run that transformed the 51 – 65 to 63 – 65 in just three minutes of the fourth quarter. Dixon even put his team up 68 – 67 with one minute remaining but a lay up by Daniel Hackett (7 points) and free throws by Pietro Aradori (12 points) switched the lead to Italy’s favor.
(Photo credit: FIBA.basketball)