Play offs: The word is “teamwork”

By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net

Two down, two more to go. Maccabi Tel Aviv became the second team which got the ticket to the Final Four, over EA7 Milano, while Panathinaikos and Olympiacos forced a Game 5 against CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid respectively and the play offs are heading to a thrilling Friday end. So here’s what happened in Game 4.

MVP

Bryant Dunston

A two time MVP in Game 3 and Game 4, he was once more a key player in the win of Olympiacos over Real Madrid, having almost a double double with 13 points and 9 rebounds. As he said after the game in basketme.net: “I just think that I need to help the team in any way I can, using the energy I have to provide in every possible way. It is all about that, and I think all the players in the locker room think like that, it is not just me. The word for what we do is “teamwork” and that is the only way we will make our whole effort successful”.

Best five

1. Vasilis Spanoulis: He is the three times Final Four MVP and once again he didn’t let Olympiacos down. Yes, 12 points on 4/14 shots is not great, but add also 6 rebounds, 7 assists and only one turnover.
2. Devin Smith: His stat line is almost impeccable. He got 13 points on 5/7 shots, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal and 1 turnover in the win over EA7 Milan.
3. Jonas Maciulis: Despite missing some big shots, he was once again more than solid against CSKA Moscow. The top scorer of Panathinaikos with 15 points, had also 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and no turnovers.
4. Alex Tyus: Almost a double double with 16 points on 8/13 shots and 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks. He is emerging as one of the best finishers in Euroleague.
5. Bryant Dunston: The twice MVP

The round up

Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to the Final Four for the first time since 2011 after beating EA7 Milano. You can enjoy the speech of coach Blatt after the game and prepare for a sea of yellow fans in Milan. The two last spots remaining, as Barcelona is already qualified after Game 3, will be decided on Friday at Moscow, as Panathinaikos beat CSKA on Wednesday, and at Madrid, as Olympiacos also prevailed over Real.