By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The indubitable upset of the week in the Spanish League had a big impact in the top spots of the standings. However it was not the only surprise, since one of the teams that struggles in the relegation zone, defeated a Copa Del Rey participant. Meanwhile, the two leaders of the standings continued in a high note.
Sevilla overpowered one of the “hottest” teams right now in Europe, defeating Laboral Kutxa (18-5) by playing fantastic offensive basketball throughout the whole game. The Basques were behind in the score for the vast majority of the match, and every effort they made to get ahead was constantly countered back successfully by its hosts. Scott Bamforth, in particular, always had an answer for every question his opponents put on him, especially during the fourth quarter, in which he scored 9 out of his 22 points.
The one to welcome the gifts from the Andalusians’ victory was Real Madrid (19-4), which is now alone in the third place of the standings. With Rudy Fernandez back in action and looking fine, especially from behind the arc, coach Laso’s players imposed their will on Andorra (10-13) comfortably.
It was a matter of superiority in motion for the two teams that watch all others from above. Valencia (21-2) needed only one half of excellence on both ends of court in order to obliterate Manresa (7-16), while Barcelona (21-2) won the Catalan derby against Badalona (9-14) on the road with extreme ease.
In the closing match of the week, Estudiantes (5-18) allowed only 3 points in the first five minutes of the final quarter versus Bilbao (11-12), paving the road to a sensational victory, the fifth of the team in the season. The “Latin spice” of Nicolas Laprovittola made a serious difference since none of Sito Alonso’s players was able to even disrupt his game.
Liga Endesa 2015/2016 – Day 23
Obradoiro – Fuenlabrada (Ivan Paunic 27 p. 4 a.): 95 – 100
Unicaja Malaga (Will Thomas 13 p.) – Zaragoza: 77 – 69
Real Madrid (Willy Hernangomez 14 p. 8 r.) – Andorra: 107 – 78
Sevilla (Scott Bamforth 22 p. 8 r. 4 a.) – Laboral Kutxa: 100 – 92
Valencia (Jordi Trias 13 p. 11 r.) – Manresa: 83 – 56
Gran Canaria (Alen Omic 13 p. 4 r.) – Murcia: 87 – 75
San Sebastian – Tenerife (Nicolas Richotti 21 p.): 71 – 80
Joventut Badalona – Barcelona (Justin Doellman 21 p) .: 59 – 85
Estudiantes (Nicolas Laprovitolla 25 p. 6 a.) – Bilbao: 81 – 70