By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
After six weeks of action in Top16, no team is left unbeaten and nobody can feel safe yet. That’s the bottom line in what turns to be a really competitive second phase in Euroleague in which every result is possible.
In Group E, Real Madrid and Maccabi Tel Aviv share the top (5-1), Panathinaikos is third (4-2) after a crucial road win in Berlin, Barcelona is fourth (3-3), Alba Berlin, Zalgiris Kaunas and Galatasaray are tied at 2-4, while Crvena Zvezda is one step behind (1-5).
In Group F, Olympiacos and CSKA Moscow have a 5-1 record, Fenerbahce/ Ulker and Anadolu Efes follow at third place (4-2), Nizhny and Laboral Kutxa are two steps behind (2-4), while EA7 Milano and Unicaja are tied at 1-5.
MVP
The absence of suspence in the game against Barcelona, stole a bit of his thunder. However, Rudy Fernandez was more than great with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in “El Clasico”. For the first time this season he seemed to be his real self, just when things are really starting to get serious.
Best Five
- Jeremy Pargo: He had 17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 turnovers and 3 assists. And here he is, making the final shot on the buzzer and leading the champs to one more win. He is clutch…
- Rudy Fernandez: He was spectacular.
- Jason Granger: He had 29 points in a great performance, leading Unicaja to its first win in Top16.
- Nemanja Bjelica: He led Fenerbahce to the 91-90 win over Laboral Kutxa with a double double of 13 points and 15 rebounds.
- Othello Hunter: Usually 12 points and 5 rebounds doesn’t make you a part of the best five. But Hunter with his presence changed the game for Olympiacos and he was crucial in the win over CSKA.
Best losing performance: Zoran Erceg
His game was epic and Zoran finished it with 29 points and 7 rebounds. Still what puts him in the losing performance column is that he missed the chance to get the win the game in regulation. In overtime Galatasaray couldn’t get to the win, but that’s a big issue (more on that to the last word).
The biggest win: Olympiacos
That was a simple choice. Olympiacos beat the only unbeaten team of the season, so it can’t get much bigger than this. Want more? It was a statement game for the Greeks who despite their limitations, compared to previous seasons, they are once more ready to fight for the top and final four contenders.
The breath: Unicaja Malaga
Finally the leaders of Liga Endesa got a win in Euroleague. It was a matter of pride, but also kind of a reboot, even if the play offs are still far away. It’s not easy to beat Nizhny and now Malaga can at least hope…
The underachiever: ΕΑ7 Μilano
Anadolu Efes is a very good team and Milano had the chance to win. However the result counts in the end and the Italians once more lost at home, having just one win after six games. If the shot of Hackett in the end was made, the story would be different, but…
The dissapointment: Crvena Zvezda
The home court was the castle of the Serbs in the regular season. In the Top16 things are different and Zalgiris managed to get a close win over Zvezda. This was a must win game for the hosts and from now on things are only going to get harder.
The last word: Basket should have counted
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7f8SF83qs
It’s easy to be behind a key board and being a critic. In Eurohoops we try at least to be fair critics and that’s not so easy. Referees can make mistakes, but what happened in Istanbul is not easy to explain. Arslan’s shot should have counted, but you need the help of the replay in order to understand it. So the question comes easy… Why the instant replay wasn’t used?
Euroleague 2014-2015 – 16th Day
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Fenerbahce |
Laboral Kutxa |
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Alba Berlin |
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EA7 Milano |
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Unicaja Malaga |
Nizhny Novgorod |
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F.C. Barcelona |
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Olympiacos |
CSKA Moscow |
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Galatasaray MP |
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Crvena Zvezda T. |
Zalgiris |