By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
As you can see in our Game Center five out of the eight games were decided by five points or less, however, if you take a look at the standings, the big picture is getting clear.
Everyone can still hope to make it to the playoffs, but Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv which is currently at the 8th spot has a 10-9 record, while Baskonia and Unicaja Malaga follow tied at the 9th spot with two fewer wins and an 8-11 record. The teams under the 9th spot have to hurry and that was the case with our MVP.
MVP
Jordan Theodore
His game against Baskonia might not be perfect, but it was MVP material. He had 16 points, four rebounds, eight assists and three steals plus the winning bucket as AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano got the road win over Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz. It was a result that gave hope to the Italians, however, its most important aspect was the blow to Baskonia’s playoffs chances.
Best Five
- Jordan Theodore: Finally there’s chemistry with him, Andrew Goudelock and Mindaugas Kuzminskas on the floor.
- Kevin Pangos: Yes he is also a point guard, but we couldn’t keep him out of the team, as he had 11 points and 15 assists, registered a club record for Zalgiris Kaunas in the close win against Valencia.
- Sergio Rodriguez: One more point guard you say? Well, he played more as a shooting guard “killing” Panathinaikos Superfoods with 21 points, 4/6 threes and giving to CSKA Moscow a crucial road win. The “Army team” became the first opponent to get a road win at OAKA this season.
- Rakim Sanders: He proved his importance for FC Barcelona Lassa with 17 points, 2 rebounds and 6 steals in the win against Brose Bamberg.
- Adam Waczynski: We are playing extreme small ball this week and he is our man in the middle with 15 points, 4/6 threes and 5 rebounds, a key part of Unicaja Malaga’s win over Real Madrid.
Coach of the week: Giorgos Bartzokas
CSKA Moscow and AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano also ended this week with two wins. However, Bartzokas and Khimki Moscow Region did it while they are still missing Thomas Robinson. And also the team had to overcome the now infamous “fine-gate”. After a pretty tense week, Khimki reacted with two wins, one by 30 points over Olympiacos, and the Russian club is back on track.
The duel: Douglas vs Wanamaker
Toney Douglas is here to save Anadolu Efes, it may be too late, but he did his best with 29 points against Fenerbahce Dogus. It was an amazing duel between him and Brad Wanamaker who finished the game with 18 points and 8 rebounds and with a 31 ranking he is by the numbers the official EuroLeague MVP. Still, it was Douglas with 10/11 field goals who stole the show, even if Anadolu Efes is left at the last spot of the standings, the only team with five wins after 19 games.
Last word: Make it or break it
Speaking about Olympiacos, the Reds will be tested in the upcoming weeks and it remains to be seen if the result against Khimki Moscow was a wake-up call or not. Olympiacos – currently tied in the second spot of the standings with Fenerbahce Dogus – will play on the road against Crvena Zvezda, will visit OAKA in the Greek league before hosting Fenerbahce and then will have to travel to Madrid. This series of four games will prove what this year’s version of the former EuroLeague back-to-back champs is made of.