By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
As you can see in the standings, Zalgiris Kaunas is almost in and Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz has the advantage for the eighth spot.
Still, with only one road win registered this week, as you can see in our GameCenter, it’s obvious that no prediction is safe. And that also applies to the season MVP, even if Nick Calathes once more made a more than compelling case.
MVP
Nick Calathes
You can argue that Crvena Zvezda on the road is not the strongest possible opponent, but Calathes’ game was more than amazing. He finished the night with 17 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and six steals on the way to a 34 ranking. He is one of the main MVP candidates and stole the thunder from his French rival.
BEST FIVE
- Nick Calathes: One more amazing all-around performance
- Jayson Granger: He took Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz by the hand and gave them a one win advantage over Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv. In 17 minutes, he got 17 points and seven assists against Brose Bamberg.
- Nando De Colo: As you may have already understood, he is Calathes’ rival. And he was also amazing with 25 points, one missed shot (9/10 FG), five rebounds and four assists and the win of CSKA Moscow over their nemesis, Olympiacos Piraeus.
- Marko Guduric: A career night for the Serb of Fenerbahce Dogus with 23 points, five made threes in six attempts and four assists against Maccabi.
- Aaron White: He had a slow start, but picked up the pace when it mattered the most. He finished the night with 16 points and 8 rebounds, as Zalgiris Kaunas got a crucial win over AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano.
Coach of the round: Giorgos Bartzokas
After leading Lokomotiv Kuban to the EuroLeague Final Four, he also led Khimki Moscow Region for the first time ever in the league’s playoffs. It seems that Russia is the right fit for the former coach of Olympiacos and Barcelona, proving once again that he knows how to build a contender.
Last word: Last spot
With Zalgiris having 16 wins and being half a step away from sealing a spot in the playoffs, it’s practically a two-team race for the final ticket.
Baskonia has a 14-13 record, Maccabi is left at 13-14 and has to play against the Basques on the road. Pedro Martinez’s players at this point have their destiny on their hands.