Βy Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Forward Luigi Datome was the catalyst for a dominant second half on Friday as Fenerbahce Istanbul staged a 72-65 come-from-behind win over Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade.
His fantastic effort resulted in a career-high in scoring and the weekly MVP honor for Top 16 Round 9, a first in Datome’s six-season Euroleague career. Datome shined with 27 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks in compiling a performance index rating of 29, which was best among all players on winning teams this week. He scored 22 of his points in the second half, during which he made 6 of 7 two-point shots and did not miss on 3 attempts from behind the arc. Datome joined Jan Vesely as the only Fenerbahce players to win weekly MVP honors this season.
The highest index rating of the round came from Brose Baskets Bamberg guard Nikos Zisis, who scored a career-high 25 points in a 75-73 loss at Zalgiris Kaunas. He made 7 of 10 two-point shots, 2 of 4 threes and was perfect on 5 trips to the foul line. Zisis drew 10 fouls and dished 4 assists in compiling a performance index rating of 35. Cedevita Zagreb guard Jacob Pullen tied a personal best and a club-record with 26 points in a 77-83 loss at the hands of Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul. Pullen was perfect on 5 two-point attempts and 7 trips to the foul line in addition to grabbing 4 rebounds and making 3 assists for an index rating of 33