Euroleague – Recap of Round 15 of Reguar Season

KeithLangfordFC Barcelona – Darussafaka 81-77The game had a very big importance for tenth-ranked Spanish FC Barcelona as it allowed them to take a leadership position. FC Barcelona defeated 7th ranked Turkish Darussafaka at home 81-77. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Darussafaka. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Darussafaka was ahead by 5 points at the halftime before a 46-37 second half run of FC Barcelona. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. It was a good game for Croatian center Ante Tomic (217-87, agency: XL Basketball Agency) who led his team to a victory with 16 points and 5 assists (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). American-Montenegrin point guard Tyrese Rice (185-87, college: Boston Coll.) contributed with 13 points and 4 assists for the winners. Four FC Barcelona players scored in double figures. American James Anderson (198-89, college: Oklahoma St.) answered with 21 points and 6 rebounds and the other American import guard Scottie Wilbekin (188-93, college: Florida) added 19 points in the effort for Darussafaka. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Anadolu Efes and Crvena Zvezda. Darussafaka at the other side dropped to the eighth place with seven games lost. Darussafaka will play next round against Maccabi T-A trying to get back on the winning streak. FC Barcelona will try to continue on its current victory against thirteenth ranked Brose Baskets at Bamberg. Top scorers:FC Barcelona: A.Tomic 16+2reb+5ast, T.Rice 13+3reb+4ast, A.Vezenkov 12+4reb+1ast, J.Doellman 11+2reb, P.Koponen 9+3reb+3ast, A.Renfroe 6+2rebDarussafaka: J.Anderson 21+6reb+2ast, S.Wilbekin 19+3reb+3ast, A.Moerman 11+2reb+1ast, B.Wanamaker 9+2reb+2ast, D.Bertans 5+3reb+2ast, S.Erden 4+5rebgschID: 473791Galatasaray – Brose Bask. 75-90The game with biggest result difference took place in Istanbul. Local Galatasaray (4-11) lost to thirteenth ranked German Brose Baskets (6-9) 90-75 on Friday night. The game was mostly controlled by Brose Baskets. Galatasaray was better in fourth quarter 23-16. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded Galatasaray 41-28 including a 28-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Brose Baskets shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 60.9 percentage. The best player for the winners was Daniel Theis (204-92, agency: Octagon Europe) who had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 14 rebounds. Latvian point guard Janis Strelnieks (191-89) chipped in 18 points and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Austin Daye (211-88, college: Gonzaga, agency: Alti Sport) who recorded 20 points and American-Israeli center Alex Tyus (203-88, college: Florida) added 15 points and 8 rebounds respectively. Five Brose Baskets and four Galatasaray players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending German champion moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Zalgiris and Unics. Galatasaray lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with 11 games lost. Brose Baskets will face league’s leader FC Barcelona at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Galatasaray will play against Anadolu Efes (#9) in Istanbul and hope to win that game. Top scorers:Brose Bask.: J.Strelnieks 18+3reb+4ast, F.Causeur 15+4reb+4ast, D.Theis 14+14reb+2ast, N.Zisis 11+3reb, N.Melli 10+9reb+3ast, D.Miller 8+2reb+3astGalatasaray: A.Daye 20+4reb+2ast, A.Tyus 15+8reb, T.Pleiss 15+4reb, V.Micov 11+2reb+4ast, B.Schilb 9+6reb+6ast, S.Guler 3+2reb+7astgschID: 473792Unics – Panathinaikos 83-81A very interesting game took place in Kazan. It ended with only two-point defeat on the road of higher ranked Greek Panathinaikos (9-6) to thirteenth ranked Russian Unics Kazan (6-9) 83-81 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Panathinaikos. Panathinaikos were ahead by 2 points after three quarters before a 20-16 charge of Unics Kazan, which allowed them to win the game. It was an exceptional evening for American Keith Langford (193-83, college: Kansas) who led the winners and scored 27 points and 5 assists. His fellow American import Latavius Williams (203-91, agency: BeoBasket) accounted for 19 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. Unics Kazan’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American-Greek point guard Nick Calathes (198-89, college: Florida) came up with 23 points and 6 assists and American point guard Mike James (185-90, college: Lamar) added 13 points and 5 assists respectively for Panathinaikos in the defeat. Four Panathinaikos players scored in double figures. They have a solid series of three victories in a row. Unics Kazan moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Brose Bask. and Zalgiris. Panathinaikos at the other side dropped to the sixth position with six games lost. Unics Kazan’s next round opponent will be higher ranked Baskonia …

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