By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Dusko Ivanovic’s first game in his return as head coach of Baskonia didn’t go exactly as planned for him and his team. Alba Berlin dominated the EuroLeague Round 16 match against the Basque side 81 – 57 to snap a four-game skid and improve to 5 – 11.
Martin Hermannsson scored a game-high 18 points, Rokas Giedraitis added 17 points and five rebounds for 23 PIR and Landry Nnoko posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds to pace Alba towards victory. The German team led from near start to finish becoming more and more superior as the game progressed.
“After two quarters, we were excellent on two-point defense I think. We let them score 26 points on two quarters. They finished with 50 something. I think we just need to work, keep improving what we are doing and that’s it,” Giedraitis said to EuroLeague TV.
Baskonia fell behind by double figures in the second period when Giedraitis drained a triple for the 28 – 18 and simply never recovered, shooting 3/18 from the 3-point line and committing 19 turnovers. It was Giedraitis that put his team up by 20, 57 – 37, with 1:37 left in the third quarter as Alba cruised to the win.
Shavon Shields (11 points) and Micheal Eric (10 points) scored in double figures for Baskonia that is now 6-10 after sustaining its third consecutive loss.
A matter of energy
Baskonia was one step behind on both ends of the floor and according to coach Ivanovic, it was due to his players lacking energy.
Congratulation to ALBA tonight. I saw my team without energy, which is a big problem,” Ivanovic. “We started the game and finished the game and this is the most important point. After we will start talking about ideas on offense, easy offensive rebounds. But I think this energy is a big problem for us at this moment.”
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball