By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Six weeks are left until the end of Top16 and with the notable exception of Barcelona anything goes for the play offs. After one more thrilling gameday four teams are tied in the third place of Group E and the battle for the fourth place in Group F is heating up. In Group E after perfect Barcelona (8-0), EA7 Milano got the second place (5-3), while Olympiacos, Fenerbahce/ Ulker, Panathinaikos and Unicaja (4-4) are all tied, followed by Anadolu Efes (2-6) and Laboral Kutxa (1-7).
In Group F, Real Madrid and CSKA Moscow (7-1) share the top, Maccabi Tel Aviv is third (6-2), Bayern Munich fourth (4-4) and chased by Galatasaray and Lokomotiv Kuban (3-5), while Zalgiris Kaunas and Partizan (1-7) are left behind.
MVP
We have a soft spot for his talent, but this time he almost highhandedly saved CSKA. He had 25 points, 15 of them in a row in the closing minutes and he even won the foul which decided the final 94-93 win over Lokomotiv Kuban. He didn’t had the chance to shoot the last free throws, as he had blood in his finger after being fouled and had to be benched with Aaron Jackson getting his spot, but this game reminded everyone that when he is hot, he can be one of the best guards in Europe.
Best five
- Milos Teodosic: He was a true leader…
- Bryce Taylor: He gave Bayern 22 points in a game that in theory was easy, but in the end the 79-73 win over Zalgiris wasn’t.
- Guy Pnini: He was mister perfect for Maccabi in the 97-81 win over Galatasaray as he had 17 points on 5/5 threes and 1/1 two pointer. Not bad at all…
- Linas Kleiza: Against his old European team, he had 21 points, 8 rebounds and the two free throws that sealed the final 78-74 win over Olympiacos.
- Ante Tomic: Joey Dorsey saved the game for Barcelona in regulation, but he had a career night in the 89-84 road win over Anadolu Efes with 26 points and 15 rebounds.
Best losing performance: James Gist
Panathinaikos tried to mount a come back after trailing by double digits in Milan, the Greens gave a big fight and no one was a biggest fighter than James Gist in the 77-75 defeat by EA7 Milano. He had 21 points on 8/12 shots and 9 rebounds as his team tried until the last moment to get the road win.
Biggest win: EA7 Milano
It was a make it or break it game and the hosts of the upcoming Final Four did what they have to do. The implications of their 77-75 win over Panathinaikos can be important in the long run. The Italians have now sole possession of the second place in Group E standings, they have one win advantage over the teams tied in the third place and a 30 points win over Olympiacos which can play a major role in a possible tie. In other words, they have the home court advantage for the play offs in their hands.
The return: Fenerbahce/ Ulker
It took Fener eight weeks, but finally the team of Zoc is back on play offs track. Yes, Fener got a lucky break by the last minute absence of Spanoulis and despite leading by ten, couldn’t avoid a close ending without getting the tie breaking advantage over Olympiacos, as the Reds have won 95-82 in their home. All that makes the remaining games and specially the return of Obradovic to OAKA against Panathinaikos much, much more interesting.
Supremacy: Real Madrid
Once more Real Madrid with a 80-57 win over Partizan proved that they are the team to beat this year. It’s not the win, or the margin, but the quality of basketball Real produces. It will be tested at home by CSKA Moscow in the game which will probably decide the top of Group F.
The debut: Lamar Odom
Every one was watching but it’s still too early for Lamar. The former NBA champion had 2 rebounds in 6 minutes of action in Laboral Kutxa’s 81-71 home defeat to Unicaja Malaga. At this point it’s evident that Odom can’t be the savior of the Basques, but it’s not his fault. His team has a 1-7 record and practically only mathematical chances for a place in the play offs.
Last word: Thrillers
The favorites, CSKA Moscow and Barcelona, got their wins over Lokomotiv Kuban and Anadolu Efes respectively, but both games were decided on details and specially Barca survived thanks to this incredible tip in by Joey Dorsey (video). It’s just one more evidence about the kind of thrills Top16 provides.