By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
The first leg of the first double-round week for 2020 is in the books and Anadolu Efes enjoys the top of the standings alone (16-3) after their triumph over Olimpia Milano. Real Madrid, whose record-streak was stopped by CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, now follows in the second position with a 15-4 record.
The battle is heating up and consistency matters!
Eurohoops MVP:
DeShaun Thomas
Panathinaikos outlasted feisty Bayern Munich at home, paced by Thomas’ overall performance of 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists for a PIR of 28. This was a crucial victory for the Greens, that now hold on to an 11-8 record and the sixth position of the standings, and he made his presence on the floor count.
Eurohoops Best Five:
- Shane Larkin: He posted 23 points (8-15 FG), four assists, and three rebounds to give Efes a great boost to the top of the competition’s standings against Olimpia Milano.
- Tyler Dorsey: Maccabi took a huge step in the playoffs race by beating Barcelona at home as the American/Greek guard posted 19 points (with 5-9 from the three-point line).
- Fernando San Emeterio: Valencia is emerging from the bottom of the standings all the way up towards chasing a playoffs ticket and San Emeterio was a true leader against Khimki, exiting the game with 18 points and five assists.
- DeShaun Thomas: Our Round 19 MVP.
- Will Thomas: Yet another power forward on the best five for Round 19. Thomas paced Zenit to victory over Baskonia with 19 points and six rebounds.
Coach of the round: Dimitris Itoudis
CSKA Moscow didn’t have it easy against Real Madrid, but when it all came down to crunch time, the Army Team went away with the victory. Coach Itoudis’ game plan kept Real at its lowest-scoring output in nearly a decade in the competition and credit must be given where its due. On top of that, CSKA is back at a tie with Maccabi and Barcelona for the third-place.
The big issue: victory-starved Olympiacos
Olympiacos brought in Giorgos Bartzokas with a new two and a half year contract, though his ‘homecoming’ didn’t go as expected since ALBA managed to grab the victory in Piraeus. With the current picture of the standings, the Reds have a lot of ground to cover – and fast – in order to join the chase for a playoffs spot.
Photo: EuroLeague