By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
Eurohoops presents the complete review of the best European leagues (Spanish, Turkish, German, VTB, Greek, Italian and French) this weekend highlighting the Top 5 scorers, the top 5 wins, 5 bad losses, 5 falls and 5 tips.
5 Top scorers
1. Clay Tucker (Ankara, Turkey)
30 points (3/6 free throws, 6/10 2ps, 5/8 3ps) in Ankara’s win over Efes (81-73)
2. David Bell (Phoenix Hagen, Germany)
28 points (11/12 free throws, 1/6 2ps, 5/10 3ps), in Phoenix Hagen’s win over Crailsheim (91-84)
3. Cameron Jones (Zenit, VTB League)
26 points (5/5 free throws, 6/11 2ps, 3/4 3ps) in Zenit’s defeat by CSKA Moscow (102-86).
3. David Logan (Sassari, Italy)
26 points (0/1 free throws, 7/8 2ps, 4/8 3ps) in Sassari’s win over Avellino (83-70).
4. Dominic Waters (Kolossos, Greece)
25 points (1/2 free throws, 9/11 2ps, 2/3 3ps) in Kolossos’ win over Aris (78-77).
4. Matt Walsch (Eskisehir, Turkey)
25 points (2/3 free throws, 4/6 2ps, 5/10 3ps) in Eskisehir’s win over Banvit (89-81).
4. Hrvoje Peric (Venezia, Italy)
25 points (5/5 free throws, 7/12 2ps, 2/6 3ps) in Venezia’s win over Pistoia (90-82)
5 Top Wins
Galatasaray-Besiktas 65-64 (Turkey)
The success of Galatasaray is huge because this was its second victory in row in a derby, after the one against Fenerbahce, despite having too many absences. Besiktas objected.
Obradoiro-Murcia 104-52 (Spain)
Obradoiro smashed many records after this great victory vs Murcia. The hosts won the second half by a 44 points difference and that’s a new record for one half. Also, this was their largest win in the Liga Endesa and the eighth largest in Liga Endesa’s history.
Unicaja–Valencia 89-85 (Spain)
After the bad loss by Manresa, Unicaja had to handle a derby and Plaza’s players made it against Valencia.
Eskisehir-Banvit 89-81 (Turkey)
Eskisehir was considered to be the biggest favorite for relegation next season to the lower division. However, the team beat at home Banvit and showed that it’s still alive.
Roma-Reg. Emilia 66-56 (Italy)
This win will be valuable for Roma who prevailed over the fourth Reggio Emilia and made a big step to avoid the relegation.
5 Bad Losses
Lokomotiv Kuban 84-89 by VEF Riga (VTB League)
VEF Riga won on the road Lokomotiv Kuban (89-84), a team that until Saturday had 17-1 record in home games.
Efes 73-81 by Ankara (Turkey)
Efes missed the chance to stay on the top of the rankings and faced its third defeat in the last four games. Ankara made a big unexpected victory to climb over the elegation zone.
Bayern by Braunsweig 76-80 (Germany)
Bayern Munich probably will have to say good bye to the BEKO BBL top in regular season after its home defeat by Braunschweig!
Unics Kazan by Astana 67-87 (VTB League)
Unics Kazan lost by 20 points to Astana in Kazakhstan and this was its 9th defeat in the VTB League.
Manresa by Gipuzkoa 64-79 (Spain)
The big victory over Unicaja last week could act as a new start for Manresa but eventually didn’t. Gipuzkoa won the game easily and Manresa remained in the last spot of the standings with Fuenlabrada and Sevilla. Meanwhile, Andorra beat Tenerrife and feels more safe.
5 Falls
Fenerbahce was still celebrating at SEF
Istanbul BSB had a golden chance to beat Fenerbahce and get away from the last two spots of the rankings, but Zack Wright missed the free throw in the last second of the regulation. Also, Markota and Stepheson did the same in overtime and finally Fenerbahce kept winning.
Disastrous game for Bourg
Bourg fights to avoid relegation and faced the heaviest defeat this season by Villeurbanne (95-65). Also, this was Villeurbanne’s largest win this year.
Gonlum hospitalized
Kerem Gonlum was hit in his head during the first half of the derby Besiktas-Galatasaray by Ryan Broekhoff and Galatasaray’s forward hospitalized. Moreover, Dogan Senli banged his head to Sinan Guler. Both are fine.
Trier missed the “dream win”
Trier is a little above the relegation zone and was leading against Alba by 14 points after 33′. The experienced Euroleague team had four absences but took the win in the overtime (86-83), because Trier scored only 4 points in the extra period.
Cholet’s black out
Cholet had the game in its hands thanks to a 4 point lead over Orthez (78-74) 32’’ before the end. During the last seconds they made everything wrong (bad defence, turnovers) so 5 straight points from Orthez gave the win to the guests.
5 Tips
Never in the extra period for Aris
Aris lost its last four straight games that were decided in the overtime. Kolossos won the game thanks to the free throw of Dominic Waters who made it also in the end of the game against Apollon Patron (3/3 free throws).
Hard week for the leaders
Three of the top six teams of BEKO BBL (Bayern, Bonn, Oldenburg) were defeated and one more (Alba) needed the overtime and a big come back to manage to win.
King, the “king” of the double-double
Shawn King was the leader of Havre in the victory vs Orleans (79-66) making a double-double (12 points, 18 rebounds) but this is not news. This was his 8th game with a double-double figures in the last ten games!
Lesca, Most Clutch Player
Remi Lesca had 1/8 3ps against Gravelines, but he made the SHOT, the buzzer beater at the end of the game helping Chalons-Reims to tie the game (78-78). In the overtime Reims was better and beat Gravelines (85-84) being one win away from the playoffs.
CSKA, the team that scores three digits
CSKA Moscow scored 102 points against Zenit (102-86) and this is the 8th time in all competitions that Dimitris Itoudis’ team passes the barrier of 100 points.