By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With their best defending effort since the start of the tournament, the Greeks were in the game until the last minute. That was Goran Dragic’ cue, who iced the 78-72 win for Slovenia with four straight points, while Klemen Prepelic also made two crucial free throws.
Slovenia remains on top of the group with a 3-0 record. Greece is left at 1-2 and needs at least one more win in order to advance.
The star: Luka Doncic was spectacular in the first half with 14 points, 5/8 field goals, 2 assists, 2 rebounds and no turnovers in 15,5 minutes of action. He finished the game with 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Goran Dragic also did his part with 20 points.
The come back: Despite trailing by five at the end of the first half (35-30), Greece opened the second half with a 9-0 run (39-35) and never lost the lead until the last four minutes, when Doncic tied the score at 66. With less than two minutes left, Slovenia had a one point lead (71-70) and that was proven enough.
Needs more: Kostas Sloukas with 18 points – a personal best in the national team – and 6 assists was the key for the Greeks. He had the support of the two Georges, Papagiannis and Printezis, who scored 10 points each and Nikos Pappas also had 10. However, Greece couldn’t close the game the right way.
(Photo credit: FIBA)