By Panos Katsiroubas/ info@eurohoops.net
In the Magnifying Glass of this week we will focus in the games of Real Madrid against Panathinaikos and Nizhny Novgorod against Efes. Moreover we will have a look in the most important factors that affected the results in the other 6 games in the 4th week of the top 16. After the analysis of the Madrid game we will focus in the battle of Nizhny against Anadolu Efes.
Analysis
WHAT A SOCK!!!
Unbelievable game in Novgorod with Nizhny having one of the most memorable performances through the ages of the competition. It was one of those nights that the opponents whoever they are, were incapable of doing anything to stop this show. Nizhny played a total game in offense scoring 109 points against the best defensive team of the competition.
In the 2 previous meetings between these teams in the 1st group stage Nizhny scored 65 and 66 points. This was their score just after 20 minutes leading 65-47 in the halftime. Nizhny did everything well in the offensive end. Even in plays that Efes played good defense Nizhny scored in situations and shots that were not the best options.
Nizhny started the game stormy in offense. With Rochestie opening the Turkish defense with his dribble penetrations for execution or creation especially for Parakhouski who was just perfect in the 1st half with 19 points and 9/11 field goals. Rochestie was looking also for pick n roll plays also with Parakhouski and some split out passes to Antonov and Kinsey. Tompkins was also a big factor.
In the 1st half he tried to put pressure on the post against Saric and against Bjelica he used his quickness and his good shoot from mid-range or behind the 3point arc to finish the game with a double double with 21 points (8/10 FG) and 10 rebounds.
With Khvostov on the floor Rochestie was used more as a shooting guard, starting his plays after screen and creating unbalance to all the defensive plans of Efes. Everything that coach Ivkovic tried couldn’t stop him. His passes were amazing. His vertical passes where very quick for the defense to rotate. Even Balbay and Draper that are very good defenders and can press the ball effectively, they didn’t put any pressure to the genius guard of Nizhny. Rochestie finished the game with 19 points and 15 assist. Insane numbers!
Kinsey was using as the 3rd source of creation with execution obligations also. He took advantages of the miss matches and was tremendous in his isolation plays. We are actually talking a lot about the offensive performance of Nizhny but they also took the defensive stops needed in order to establish their lead in the 1st half. Parakhouski was a rock in defense winning the majority of the battles against both Krstic and Lasme and Tompkins played very good defense against Saric and his all-around game.
Efes scored a lot and opened their offense but they were never close enough in order to put a threat on Nizhny. The game opened a lot and from one point both teams they were scoring with high rhythm and percentages. Efes never find a way to stop Nizhny, they didn’t even used their fouls to get some essential stops and coach Ivkovic was just desperate. For sure this game will be remembered mostly for the performance of Taylor Rochestie. He is the leader of the orchestra. The Sebastian Bach of Novgorod and a player that everyone admires this year.