By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
As you can see in our Game Center, most of the games were decided on details, while Brose Bamberg and Panathinaikos made spectacular comebacks.
The bottom line is that after the Greens’ win over Madrid, they have a place in the top four of the standings, alongside Fenerbahce Dogus at 6-3 and one step back behind CSKA Moscow and Olympiacos who are tied at 7-2.
Still our MVP is a former EuroLeague champ who performed a small miracle in Bamberg.
MVP
Ricky Hickman
He more than deserved it for a number of reasons. First of all, he scored 26 points and had 5/8 threes being part of an amazing come back win by Brose Bamberg over Valencia Basket. And on top of that, he decided the final outcome of the game, making three free throws. That’s the definition of being the MVP.
BEST FIVE
- Ricky Hickman: He had an amazing night.
- Edgaras Ulanovas: He was unstoppable on the way to 22 points as Zalgiris Kaunas managed to get the win over Anadolu Efes. Yes, he scored 20 of his points in the first half, but that was one hell of a game with him missing just two shots.
- James Nunnally: His best game as a member of Fenerbahce Dogus with 20 points, 4/5 threes and big plays in a close contest against Khimki Moscow Region.
- Jamel McLean: He had his best game yet for Olympiacos against his former team, AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano with 22 points, 10/14 FG and 7 rebounds.
- Johannes Voigtman: The big man of Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz dominated the paint with 17 points, 8 rebounds and he also dished five assist in the road win against Crvena Zvezda.
Coach of the week: Xavi Pascual
He has played many times against Real Madrid and he managed to get a crucial win against the “Whites” in Athens, that pushed Panathinaikos on a tie with Fenerbahce for the third spot of the standings. Despite their issues, the Greens once more found the way and they emerge as solid contenders, not only for the playoffs but even for the Final Four.
Last word: Rollercoaster
The only game that wasn’t close this week was the win of FC Barcelona Lassa against Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv.Like it happened against Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, the players of Sito Alonso dominated the court. Still, they have a 4-5 record and the 10th spot, making you wonder which version of Barca we will be seeing next week.