By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
There was a lot at stake in the game between Latvia and Turkey, the last EuroBasket clash between the knockout stage. The loser would face the competition’s absolute favorite, defending champions Spain, while the winner would meet much weaker Montenegro in the Round of 16.
With Kristaps Porzngis delivering one more show and Janis Blums performing with the aroma of an old vintage wine, the Latvian team beat its opponents 89 – 79 and won second place in Group D.
Unicorn: Another sensational game by Porzingis with 28 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, all sorts of dunk craziness and 33 PIR. He wasn’t alone though…
Oldie but Goldie: When the New York Knicks big guy went to the bench during the third period to get some precious rest and get protected from making his fourth foul way too early, veteran Janis Blums emerged to hurt Turkey from downtown. The 35-year-old finished with 17 points (5/8 3s), a strike that came out of nowhere for the hosts and was instrumental in Latvia taking 68 – 54 lead with two minutes left for the fourth period. He has to step up as Janis Strelnieks was missing due to stomach virus.
Jedi Mind Tricks: Ufuk Sarica’s players didn’t give up of course. They started chewing more and more pieces of that deficit and with Cedi Osman (24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) leading the charge, plus key helps by Melih Mahmutoglu (23 points, 7 rebounds) made it 69 – 67 early in the fourth.
Latvia and when Kristaps entered the building once more he scored for the 78 – 69. He and his teammates didn’t look back and when Zanis Peiners drained 2/2 from the line for the 88 – 77 with 1 minute remaining.
(Photo credit: FIBA.basketball)