By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Adding to a nine-point lead at the break with an 8-0 run to start the third quarter, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet pulled away and drew a win versus ALBA Berlin.
Enjoying a double-digit advantage through the second half, Giannis Sfairopoulos guided his side to an 85-71 victory in Round 14 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.
Connecting 13/29 three-pointers emerged as the biggest team highlight.
A former player of ALBA, Rokas Giedraitis put in 19 points, including 3/4 from beyond the arc, against his former team on Thursday. “We played the second half with more confidence. We played a good game, especially in the second half,” reacted the 31-year-old Lithuanian forward, “Let us enjoy now, at least until tomorrow.”
Nemanja Nedovic dropped a game-high 20 points with 8/12 field goals, including three triples, and also dished out five assists. “We have many many things that we need to improve to reach our goals for this season,” warned the 32-year-old guard, “I expect everyone to come in every game and play seriously with the maximum focus. If you do not play well, at least you can be focused and help the team for sure.”
Behind a fifth win in seven continental showings in Stark Arena, the reigning champions in Serbia went up to 5-9, snapping a two-game losing streak. “We needed the win, so I am satisfied with the win. I am also satisfied with how we played the game. We were very concentrated,” said Sfairopoulos.
“The way we started the second half and how we played the third quarter showed how we dominated the game,” added the Greek play-caller, “I think we got a win that we deserve 100%.”
Required on the court by Sfairopoulos for 18 minutes in the comfortable win, Milos Teodosic had 2/3 three-pointers and 2/2 two-pointers in a 12-point effort. The effective outing was complemented by five assists, four rebounds, and two steals.
Stuck on the injury list, both Adam Hanga (knee) and Dalibor Ilic (back) were sidelined along with Ognjen Kuzmic. Stefan Lazarevic did not play. Spending the last week on the sidelines with a sore back, Shabazz Napier returned to action keeping a protective mask due to a previous nose injury to add nine points and three assists over 15 minutes.
The team coached by Israel Gonzalez was forced down to 2-12 with an eighth loss in as many games away from Berlin. A four-game winning streak against Zvezda in Belgrade was unceremoniously snapped. Marcus Eriksson (foot) and Ziga Samar (foot) were out alongside Khalifa Koumadje.
“Maybe too many players coming back from injuries and needing more time, it was difficult for them to come back with a rhythm,” the Spanish tactician referred to four returning players, “We need to work on it and do better next time.”
Extending a double-digit streak in points and performance index rating to eight games, Johannes Thiemann had 12 points in a PIR of 14. Louis Olinde tallied a team-high 13 points.
Adam Hanga is nearing a return
Hoping to jump to 11-1 in the AdmiralBet ABA League, the Belgrade outfit visits SC Derby in Moraca Sports Center on Sunday. Switching to the next double-game week of the EuroLeague, the schedule features fixtures opposite Real Madrid and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on Tuesday and Thursday.
“We do not know if he will be ready. We will try to prepare him. Hopefully, he will play,” Sfairopoulos discussed a possible comeback for Hanga against Los Blancos, his former team. The Hungarian forward has been sidelined since early November.
Hosting FC Barcelona on Tuesday and Fenerbahce Beko on Friday is the two-game week challenge for the Albatrosse. On the road against EWE Baskets Oldenburg shapes the opportunity to improve to 7-3 in Germany’s easyCredit BBL on Sunday.
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net