By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid is still first, having the tie breaker against CSKA Moscow (18-6), followed by Olympiacos (17-7), Fenerbahce (16-8), the duo of Panathinaikos and Crvena Zvezda tied at 14-10 and then Baskonia and Anadolu Efes (13-11) completing the top eight teams of the standings. Dogus Darussafaka still hopes to catch the playoffs train being just one step behind (12-12) and that’s why our MVP comes from a do or die game.
MVP
Bradley Wanamaker
Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens is a playoff-bound team and Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul needed to get this home win in order to stay alive in the playoffs race. Bradley Wanamaker was the man who more than anyone else made things happen, thanks to 24 points, the biggest three of the game, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. He is the leader of this team and he decided the outcome when the ball was heavy.
Best Five
- Bradley Wanamaker: Darussafaka trusted him and he didn’t fail his team.
- Jon Diebler: The performance of Galatasaray‘s sharpshooter against Real Madrid was admirable, making all his five three-point attemps on the way to 17 points. Add to that two assists, one rebound and one turnover.
- Kim Tillie: He had almost the perfect game for Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz against EA7 Emporio Armani Milano with 19 points, missing just one shot (4/5 2p., 3/3 3p., 2/2 FT) and having also 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
- Derrick Brown: Anadolu Efes Istanbul is rising and he is one of the main reasons of the overtime win against Unics Kazan with 24 points (9/14 FG, 5/5 FT), 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
- Ekpe Udoh: He had a full stats like with 16 points, 8/11 shots, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, one steal and 4 blocks as Fenerbahce Istanbul prevailed on the road against Zalgiris Kaunas
Best losing performance: Chris Singleton
Panathinaikos couldn’t escape from Istanbul, but Singleton did his best with 23 points, a total of 8/11 field goals, with four out of five of them being threes, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks and one assist.
Coach of the week: Dejan Radonjic
It’s been quite long since the last time he was here, but his return is not a surprise. In the duel with an other up-and-coming coach, Andrea Trinchieri, Radonjic and Crvena Zvezda emerged victorious once more and they have every reason in the world to think about the playoffs.
Biggest win: Galatasaray
You can’t but admire the fact that a team playing for its pride managed to upset the first of the standings. Galatasaray beat Real Madrid, CSKA Moscow is now tied again with the Spaniards and the Turks proved that even at this stage, nothing comes easy in the EuroLeague for anyone.
Last word: Contrast
On paper the games Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv versus Olympiacos Piraeus and Barcelona Lassa versus CSKA Moscow should be a real test for the guests. This did not happen. Two of the biggest clubs in Europe are having one of their worst EuroLeague season. They both have their share of injury woes, Barca more than anyone ever in the modern history of the competition, but still there’s a sour taste left from their lackluster effort.