Canadians in Europe: January 26th - 29th
Another week of double games in the Euroleague, the last days of the Champions League regular season and the EuroCup playoffs edging ever closer made for an exciting week of basketball for the continent's Canadian contingents and their respective teams.
Euroleague
Maccabi Tel Aviv held the slender advantage for the first quarter, but in the second that lead became Fenerbahce’s. A combination of low-post intensity and three-point accuracy kept the Israeli club within contention and Fenerbahce's hold on the game looked tentative until the final period, where they sank the dagger with authority. Dyshawn Pierre impressed with 15 points of the bench in Fenerbahce’s 82-75 victory over Maccabi.
The Turkish team continued their winning ways the following day against Khimki. Their initially small advantage reaching double digits by half time and continued in that trajectory for the remainder of the game, even with 29 points from Alexei Shved on the opposition. Pierre this time finished with 14 points, one of six players to reach double digits on the team who also achieved 85% field success and out-rebounded Khimki 39-21, as they move up to the playoff zone after the 107-76 win.
Zenit St Petersburg’s winning ways were snapped on their visit to Barcelona. Though the teams were close to begin with, Barcelona surged into a double-digit lead in the second quarter. Though Zenit went wild from three-point territory in the final period, putting up six threes, Barcelona's late success in the field saw them prevail. Kevin Pangos had the last points of the game, bringing his total to 13, but the win was Barcelona’s, 85 points to 81.
The Russian club looked to get back to winning ways days later against Olimpia Milano - after Zenit led by double digits in the first half, the three-point shooting and high success in the low post saw the Italian team turn the game on its head. Pangos had a team-high 12 points, shared with Austin Hollins, but with five double-digit showings Milano handed their opponents their second straight loss, 82-76.
EuroCup
Conor Morgan started and had seven points for Joventut, who were slow to take off against AS Monaco but stamped their authority in the third quarter, where they led by ten points on two occasions. Far more consistent shooting from Joventut – above 50% in both the field and three-point territory – saw them come away with the 79-72 victory. Undefeated after three games in Group E, Joventut now have appearance of serious title contenders as the competition moves to more serious territory.
Melvin Ejim managed just five points in a sorry show for Buducnost Podgorica, who let Virtus Bologna get away from them early on and they were left playing catch-up. With just 34% field shooting and going 5-of-22 from beyond the arc, Buducnost were left floundering and could not contain Marco Bellinelli, the game’s top scorer with 21 for Bologna. Nor had they an answer for Vince Hunter, who had a perfect scoring game off the bench.
It was the last straw for Buducnost head coach Petar Mijovic, who was relieved from his post following the runaway win by Virus Bologna, final score 87 points to 65.
FIBA Champions League
Kyle Wiltjer started and scored 15 points along with 9 total rebounds for PTT Ankara, who looked to end the group stage on a high note, having already qualified for the next round. After untangling themselves from Igokea just before half-time, they took their biggest lead of 14 points only for their opponents to then close the gap to one point ahead of the final quarter.
Outscoring Igokea in the paint throughout the final period, Ankara were able to capture the win 94-86 and secure first place in Group G, their opponents here also advancing in second. They will both learn who they will next be facing in the competition on February 2nd, when the draw for the playoffs will be held.
Comentários