By Lefteris Moutis / moutis@eurohoops.net
Eurohoops presents the complete review of the best European leagues (Spanish, Turkish, German, VTB, Adriatic League, 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. Darnell Harris (Orleans, France)
31 points (4/4 free throws, 9/9 3ps) in Orleans victory vs Limoges (91-85)
1. Courtney Fortson (Avtodor, VTB League)
31 points (6/11 free throws, 5/6 2p, 5/7 3p) in Avtodor’s victory vs CSKA (107-104)
1. Frantz Massenat (Mitteldeutscher, Germany)
31 points (11/13 free throws, 4/5 2ps, 4/6 3ps) in Mitteldeutcher’s vitory vs Goettingen (91-86)
4. Bobby Dixon (Karsiyaka, Turkey)
30 points (3/7 2ps, 8/9 3ps) in Karsiyaka’s victory vs Istanbul BSB (108-84)
5. Kalin Lucas (Kolejliler, Turkey)
29 points (8/11 free throws, 3/7 2ps, 5/7 3ps) in Kolejliler’s victory vs Tofas (92-71)
5. Larry Gordon (Phoenix Hagen)
29 points (7/9 free throws, 8/17 2ps, 2/6 3ps) in Phoenix Hagen’s defeat by Bonn (101-99)
5 Top Wins
Avtodor vs CSKA 107-104 (VTB League)
Although CSKA Moscow was not interested for the game and Dimitris Itoudis prepares his team for the VTB playoffs, it is not easy for any team to beat them in Moscow especially after scoring 38 points (!) in the fourth quarter thanks to a big comeback from -12 in 30’.
Bayern vs Alba 70-68 (Germany)
The win of Bayern Munich against Alba Berlin doesn’t mean a lot for the standings but the way it came (-13 in 30’) helps the psychology of the champions, while the playoffs come. The team from Munich had just one player with double digits in scoring!
Fuenlabrada vs Laboral 91-83 (Spain)
Second victory in row for Fuenlabrada and its chances to stay in the first division are higher. This one was against one of the best teams in the league, Laboral.
Brose Baskets vs Ulm 95-88 (Germany)
Although Brose Baskets was back by 20 points (33-13 after 10’) against one of the best teams of the league (Ulm), finally managed to win easily the game!
Crvena Zvezda vs Cedevita 69-65 (Adriatic League)
Crvena Zvezda defended its home in the first two finals in the Adriatic League against Cedevita and wants one more to win the trophy.
5 Bad Losses
Unicaja by Sevilla 75-70 (Spain)
Sevilla celebrated an important victory to avoid the relegation and Unicaja suffered probably the worst loss a little before the end of the regular season. Real Madrid looks favorite to finish first.
Fenerbahce by Efes 84-82 (Turkey)
This loss may cost to Fenerbahce the top of the regular season. Efes was the first team after Olympiacos, four months ago, that beat Fenerbahce at home.
AEK by Rethymno 80-79 (Greece)
Scottie Wilbekin missed the last shot, AEK lost by Rethymno after six victories in row and probably will finish fourth.
Tofas by Kolejliler 92-71 (Turkey)
After this defeat, Tofas has hopes only to a miracle to happen to stay in the first division. Kolejliler celebrated this big victory behind Kalin Lucas’ and Clay Tucker’s excellent scoring night.
Bourg by Havre 77-76 (France)
Bourg had the chance to win this game and raise its chance to avoid the relegation but eventually during the last 15 seconds of the game against Havre didn’t shot the ball and lost. At the same time, Orleans beat Limoges.
5 Falls
Zoc complains for the fans
Fenerbahce hosted Efes in the Turkish derby, few days after the qualification to the Final Four and Zeljko Obradovic complained about the number of Fenerbahce’s fans who watched this game. “I’ll keep this in my heart” said Zoc…
Apollon missed the playoffs
After seven defeats in row, Apollon Patron has only mathematical chances to play in the Greek playoffs. The last loss by Koroivos (74-68) was lethal.
What’s going on with Sassari?
Sassri faced its fifth defeat in row (in total of eleven) by the last team in the standings, Caserta and a little before the end of the regular season destroys its good image.
Bjelica and Goudelock got injured
Nemanja Bjelica didn’t take part in the Turkish derby against Efes and Zeljko Obradovic will miss him for the next ten days. Also, Drew Goudelock got injured during the game and Zoc worries in front of the Final Four.
Goettingen on the verge of missing the playoffs
Goettingen struggles to secure a place in the German playoffs but lost the road game against Mitteldeutscher, who hasn’t any motivation. So, in the last week Goettingen’s fate will not be decided only by its result.
5 Tips
Derbies coming soon!
It’t not so common and of course it’s interesting. The first place in many leagues will be decided soon. In Spain Unicaja visits Real on Thursday, in Greece Panathinaikos hosts Olympiacos on Saturday, in Turkey Fenerbahce visits Darussafaka on Sunday and the same day in Germany Alba will face Brose Baskets in Berlin!
Two “good friends” face each other
During one month Lokomotiv and Unics faced each four times in the Eurocup and the VTB League. Kuban won three of these games, but Unics celebrated the most important, the last one, for the Eurocup (by 21 points margin). Without doubt is an interesting match up in the VTB playoffs where Kuban will have the home advantage!
DJ Cooper in assists decks
DJ Cooper dished 18 assists in just 21 minutes against Krasnye Krylia and this is the second best record in the VTB league. Who has the first? Of course, Cooper with 23 assists against Astana last January.
Ludwigsburg and Goetingen always together
MHP Riesen and Gottingen, which are tied in standing and fight for the playoffs (8th position), both lost but this is not news as the have exactly the same results the last 6 games.
Milano the scoring machine
After two straight defeats by Cantu and Capo D’Orlando, Milano bounced back and scored for fourth time this season more than 100 points in the big win against Bologna (117-92). The same time Shawn James complained though facebook because he’s healthy and didn’t play.