Slovakia – SBL Round 21: Inter Bratislava beats Prievidza in the most crucial game of the week

AleksandarVlahovic Coincidentally all hosts won their games. An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Bratislava. First ranked Inter Bratislava faced 3rd placed Prievidza. Host Inter Bratislava (17-3) defeated guests from Prievidza (14-4) 91-86. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Prievidza. Inter Bratislava made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 27 Prievidza turnovers. Strangely Prievidza outrebounded Inter Bratislava 35-19 including a 25-12 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Serbian guard Aleksandar Vlahovic (190-90, agency: 011 Sports) who scored 22 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. The former international swingman Martin Bilik (194-87) chipped in 20 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Andre Jones (191-90, college: Winthrop) who recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds. Inter Bratislava maintains first place with 17-3 record. Defending champion Prievidza keeps the third position with four games lost. Inter Bratislava’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Bratislava to the arena Karlovka. An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Kosice. Second ranked Kosice faced 4th placed Levice. Host Kosice (16-3) defeated guests from Levice (14-5) 96-80. It was a good game for Serbian guard Radenko Pilcevic (188-86, agency: AproK Sports Group) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 15 assists. Michal Batka contributed with 19 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Kosice’s coach Drazen Brajkovic allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Bosnian power forward Igor Josipovic (205-88) answered with 16 points and 6 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) for Levice. Kosice have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain second place with 16-3 record behind leader Inter Bratislava. Levice at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. Kosice will play against Prievidza (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Levice will play against Lucenec and hopes to get back on the winning track. Bottom-ranked Nova Ves managed to get a second victory on Friday night. This time they outleveled tenth-ranked Nitra 91-62. It’s especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 29-point difference suggests that Nova Ves is in a good shape to leave the bottom place. Phil Henry stepped up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. The best for the losing side was Filip Pejovic with 21 points and 8 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Nova Ves maintains eleventh place with 2-18 record. Nitra lost their third game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 17 games lost. Nova Ves will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Nitra will play against Rieker KN (#6) and hope to secure a win. The game in MBK Handlova was also worth to mention about. 7th ranked Lucenec (7-11) played at the court of eighth ranked Handlova (8-11). Handlova defeated Lucenec 92-78. Nenad Milosevic nailed 32 points and 4 assists for the winning side. Handlova moved-up to seventh place. Lucenec lost their seventh game in a row. Lucenec at the other side, also newcomer in the league, dropped to the eighth position with 11 games lost. Handlova’s next round opponent will be higher ranked Levice (#4) on the road and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Lucenec will play against Prievidza (#3) and hope to win that game. In the last game of round 21 Karlovka was defeated by Rieker KN in Komarno 84-74. Rieker KN – Karlovka 84-74There was no surprise in Komarno where 9th ranked Karlovka (5-15) was defeated by sixth ranked Rieker KN (9-9) 84-74. Rieker KN dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to …

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