By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes clinched the home-court advantage for the 2020 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague playoffs during Regular Season Round 28. The bottom end of the double-game week was headlined by the Turkish outlet and our MVP that became the first-ever player with multiple 40-point outings in a single season of Europe’s premier club competition.
Eurohoops MVP
Shane Larkin
After missing a couple of games, Shane Larkin returned with ten points in losing effort versus Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv. A few days later fully recovered with 40 points in Anadolu Efes’ home win against Olympiacos. Made 10/15 threes in just over 33 minutes, mixed in five dimes, three steals, and three boards as well. Just noting, the Miami alumni is currently averaging 22.2 points per EuroLeague appearance.
Best Five
1. Andrew Albicy: Might be too late for Zenit Saint-Petersburg, but career-highs 19 points, five rebounds and 24 PIR for the French guard.
2. Shane Larkin: Our MVP adds on his historic campaign.
3. Nikola Mirotic: Game-high 28 points plus eight boards, four assists and ten earned fouls send FC Barcelona fans home happy.
4. Tornike Shengelia: Matt Janning was clutch, his captain finished the job with a block after setting up the “W” with a game-high 24 points, seven rebounds, five dimes, and three steals.
5. Vladimir Stimac: Additional size with the Serbian center posting a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double and earning nine fouls for Crvena Zvezda mts.
Coach of the round: Rimas Kurtinaitis
Vital Round 28 victories for KIROLBET Baskonia, Crvena Zvezda mts, and AX Armani Exchange Milan, but the biggest win belongs to Khimki Moscow Region. Rimas Kurtinaitis guided the Russian club to a 13-15 record catching Fenerbahce Beko in the standings and gaining the tiebreaker advantage as well. Entering the final stretch of the regular season, the 59-year-old Lithuanian head coach is determined to keep his players on their playoffs route.
The big issue: Greens on a free fall
Crowded pack of teams between 7th and 14th place separated by a couple of wins. Add one more to find Panathinaikos OPAP sitting sixth with a 14-14 W-L tally. The Greens playoffs cushion evaporated after dropping their last four games. The five clubs above them in the table have clinched their playoffs berth, but Rick Pitino has a turnaround challenge on his hands to secure one of the remaining spots.