By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Hapoel Tel Aviv recorded another EuroLeague victory in Round 14, beating ASVEL in a game played in Botevgrad with a 87-80 score.
Dimitris Itoudis’ team controlled most of the first half and held a double-digit lead several times, but the situation suddenly changed.
ASVEL erased the deficit, then took the lead, and with six minutes left they went up by an unexpected 11 points (77–66).
At that moment Hapoel’s run began, as the Israelis produced a 17–0 surge that was only stopped by a three-pointer from Melvin Ajinca 44 seconds before the end.
The visitors then got a stop on the next possession, Glynn Watson had a three to tie the game but missed, and in the end Hapoel managed to claim the win in a dramatic finish.
Dan Oturu led his team with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Antonio Blakeney and Johnathan Motley added 16 points each.
On the other side, Nando De Colo was excellent again with 20 points, while Watson contributed with 10 points.
Hapoel remains at the top of the EuroLeague standings with a 10–4 record and will visit Virtus in the next round. On the other hand, ASVEL has three wins and 11 losses and will now face Maccabi on the road.