Big shot Broekhoff sinks game-winning three in Euroleague
Round two of the Euroleague Top 16 was an exciting one, as Lokomotiv Kuban and Zalgiris Kaunas looked to add wins to their resumes.
Lokomotiv Kuban took on Anadolu Efes Istanbul, in what started out as a competitive game. Both teams battled back and forth, looking for an edge. Yet Anadolu Efes would take a 21-13 lead, and they’d continue to hold onto it, going into halftime up 43-37.
In the second half, it would continue to stay neck and neck as neither team gained the ascendancy. With the game coming down to the closing seconds, Ryan Broekhoff would come up clutch, hitting a game-winning three-pointer, and leading Lokomotiv Kuban to victory, with the final score 78-77 (watch the highlights through to the end).
Ryan Broekhoff finished the game scoring 5 points to go with 2 rebounds and 2 steals. Although early foul trouble would limit his minutes through the first three-quarters, he would show up when the team needed it most, hitting a big three-pointer, something that he has made a habit of in the past, which helped Lokomotiv Kuban come out with the win.
In speaking exclusively with The Pick and Roll, Broekhoff shared that he was just happy that his team earned what may well prove to be a vital win in the Top 16.
"It was a broken play," explained Broekhoff of the possession leading to his big shot. "I just tried to give an option to (Dontaye) Draper, with the ball as he was well guarded and I was able to lose my defender for a second. I'm happy that it helped us win the game and we were able to get that final stop. It was really important (the win) and now gets us off to a great start in the Top 16."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOu55FBc9E0
Zalgiris Kaunas played Brose Basket Bamburg, with the German opposition would come out of the gates strong, taking a 24-13 lead. They'd continue adding to it, going into the main break up, with a commanding 49-29 lead.
In the second half, Brose Basket continued to add to their lead, cruising to a 96-63 victory. Zalgiris Kaunas had no answer to stopping their German adversary, allowing them to shoot 63% on field goal attempts. There is no way that they can expected to win, with that type of defensive effort.
Brock Motum had a solid game, scoring 9 points (4/6 FG) and making one three-pointer in 19 minutes of playing time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iBXiVOs-4I
Kicking-off round one of the last 32, Herbalife Gran Canaria took on Strasbourg, with both teams trading leads throughout the first half. However, Strasbourg would go into the main break ahead 43-38.
In the second half, it would continue to stay close, but Gran Canaria couldn’t find a way to generate consistent offense. Allowing Strasbourg to come out on top, winning the game 85-76.
Brad Newley scored 8 points on 4/10 shooting. Although his stats may say otherwise, he did play well, especially on the defensive end, where he was fighting through screens and closing out on shooters, making it tough for Strasbourg to get off open looks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxvqVXW6Xnc
CAI Zaragoza took on Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul, in what was a blowout victory for the Turkish opposition. Starting the game off, Zaragoza would show some fight keeping the game close. But in the second quarter, they would get caught up in trying to outscore their opponents, allowing Galatasaray to score 32 points to there 20.
In the second half, Galatasaray would continue to add to the lead, no thanks to Zaragoza’s non-existent defense. They had no fight in them, and because of that, Galatasaray cruised to victory, winning the game 103-68.
Isaac Fotu was one of the lone bright spots for Zaragoza, scoring 12 points (5/9 FG), to go with two made three-pointers and two rebounds. He played with the typical energy and hustle were accustom to seeing from him. But with the team being down by so much, there wasn’t much he could do in order to turn things around.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpytnuZsBP0