By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
CSKA is almost untouchable and after Fenerbahce‘s win over Zalgiris Kaunas, the defending champs are tied with Olympiacos, while the Lithuanians are tied in the standings with Real Madrid, which has the advantage with a win in Kaunas and a home game against Zalgiris on the 22nd of March.
It’s obvious in our GameCenter that this week there were many thrilling games, but Madrid’s win over Panathinaikos stole the show and that leads us to our MVP.
MVP
Fabien Causeur
He proved that Real Madrid is much more than Luka Doncic. The French swingman was unstoppable in the key game against Panathinaikos, leading the “Whites” to the win with 26 points (10/14 FG 4/6 FT), four rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Simply put, not only he had an amazing game, but he did it in the game in which the games were more than high.
Best Five
- Marcelinho Huertas: In a more than crucial game for Baskonia he was back to his old self with 19 points and seven assists, as his team got the road win against Valencia.
- Fabien Causeur: He played also for the absent Luka Doncic.
- Andrew Goudelock: He was simply amazing with 26 points on 9/15 FG and 6/6 FT. He also had five rebounds and two assists as AX Armani Exchange Milano shocked Khimki Moscow Region on the road.
- Nikola Kalinic: With 12 points on 5/6 FG, two rebounds, six assists and two steals he was the first among equals in Fenerbahce‘s road win over Zalgiris Kaunas.
- Nikola Milutinov: He had a “perfect” game with 16 points (5/5 2p., 6/6 FT) and also six rebounds, two assists and one block as Olympiacos got the home win against Bamberg.
Coach of the week: Pablo Laso
While missing Doncic and Sergio Llull and playing against his old arch-rival and former Barcelona coach, Xavi Pascual, Laso presented a team which was more than solid and had a defined game plan. Madrid made a crucial step towards the home court advantage against Panathinaikos and he gets credit for that.
Last word: CSKA Moscow locked and loaded
Can CSKA lose the top spot? Not if they continue playing like this. The “Army Team” scored 101 points over Unicaja firing at all cylinders and preparing for the postseason. Can they get back to the top at Belgrade? It will be more than interesting to see.