By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The miracle season of Laboral Kutxa and Giannis Bourousis continues, as the Spanish team got the impressive 98-83 win over Khimki Moscow Region. With their 7th win in 10 Top16 games, the winners are almost a lock for the playoffs, considering also the fact that they have the tie breaking advantage over Khimki (5-5).
The Russians started the Top16 making buzz all around Europe, but didn’t stand a chance on the road in the second half against the team of coach Perasovic. Once more Bourousis was the key with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists was the key and four more players scored in double digits, Fabien Causer (17 p.), Davis Bertans (13 p.), Adam Hanga (12 p.) and Darius Adams (17 p.).
Still it was all about defense. Khimki had a small lead in the first quarter (24-21), trailed by one at the end of the first half (45-44) and started the second half with a 6-0 run (50-45). The answer by the hosts was devastating with a partial 18-2 score that gave them an 11 points advantage (63-52).
There was no turning back for Khimki after that. Alexey Shved scored 19 points, Paul Davis had 18, Petteri Koponen added 13 points and Tyrese Rice had 10 assists and 6 points. The problem was defensive. No stops were made, Laboral Kutxa scored in every possible way and kept running until the end.