Broekhoff blitzes, Madgen makes return from injury
This week saw Ryan Broekhoff and Lokomotiv Kuban light it up from downtown, Ben Madgen return from injury in the EuroCup, and Jonah Bolden's Maccabi Tel Aviv earn a thrilling win against the reigning Spanish champions in EuroLeague.
Hosting Spanish champions Valencia to open round 11, Maccabi Tel Aviv started strongly to open up a 4 point lead at the first break. The visitors fought back admirably to then tie it up at half time. A Jonah Bolden triple in the third saw Tel Aviv open up their largest lead of the game at 9 points. Not much separated either side down the stretch, but it was the hosts who held on to record a memorable 94-91 win to improve their record to 7-4 [video highlights].
Bolden started and played 18 minutes for 5 points on 2-2 shooting with 4 rebounds and 1 steal. The 6'10 forward has been good for 6.5 points and 5.1 rebounds across 11 games in his debut EuroLeague season.
Anadolu Efes Istanbul slumped to a 100-81 loss at the hands of a red-hot Crvena Zvezda Belgrade. Australian Boomer Brock Motum did not take to the court, as his side fell to a 3-8 overall record.
Lokomotiv Kuban maintained their unblemished record in EuroCup following a narrow 84-89 win over ALBA Berlin [video highlights]. Lokomotiv put on a three-point shooting clinic, draining a club-record 15 treys to improve their record to 7-0. Leading the way was Australian sharpshooter Ryan Broekhoff, with the 6'7 forward connected on 5-6 from downtown in registering a EuroCup career-high 20 points with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
https://twitter.com/lokobasket/status/938411581410603009
Broekhoff exploded for 15 second quarter points as he rained four three-pointers alongside a traditional three-point play to ensure Lokomotiv led by 5 points at half time. Things came right down to the wire, as the home side would not allow Lokomotiv to get away. Broekhoff pulled down a big offensive rebound in the final seconds, drawing an unsportsmanlike foul and sealing the win from the line
Ben Madgen made his EuroCup return from injury in Lietuvos Rytas' 93-75 win against Partizan Belgrade. The dynamic guard came off the bench to add 7 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 24 minutes in what was an encouraging performance [video highlights]. The victory saw Rytas improve their record to 4-3, and when Limoges defeated Bilbao, they formally secured a spot in the Top 16.
Partizan was no match for Rytas, with a 17-4 run in the second period setting the home side on course for the win. When Madgen drained his first three-pointer of the competition in the third term, he restored his side's 10 point lead and from their they were never challenged.