By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Sergio Rodriguez became the eighth player in EuroLeague modern era to reach 3,000 career points as Olimpia Milano defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 85 – 66 at home to capture its seventh win in the last eight games.
“I feel like I’ve been playing for a long time. I still enjoy this like it’s the first day. I’m happy to be on this team and have the teammates I have, the club, the coaches. It’s a great journey for me,” Rodriguez said in his post-game comments.
Rodriguez entered the match with 2,992 points and scored 10 while also dishing out a game-high nine assists. Kevin Punter dropped 15 points, Kyle Hines scored 14, Shavon Shields added 11 points and nine rebounds and Gigi Datome posted 10 points plus seven rebounds for Milano that led from near-start to finish. The “Red Shoes” held a double-digit advantage for the whole game after the beginning of the third period and never let their opponents to become threatening.
Othello Hunter finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, Tyler Dorsey had 11 points and Chris Jones 10 for Maccabi that fell to 10 – 13 and saw its playoff chances getting slimmer. The Israeli side struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the first half while leading scorer Scottie Wilbekin (who played with a wrap around his hand) finished the game without points (0-6 shots) for the first time this season and third overall in his EuroLeague career.
“Malcolm [Delaney] was absolutely a big key with his defense on Wilbekin, right from minute 1,” Milano coach Ettore Messina said after the game.
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball