Jonah Bolden shined, Brock Motum used his time wisely
It was another week without victories for Aussie EuroLeague fans. Brock Motum, and especially Jonah Bolden, played strongly, yet their teams still had to put another loss in their pockets. However their games were two totally different stories.
Despite winning Turkish Cup, nothing changed for Anadolu Efes Istanbul on the EuroLeague front. But this time their loss was really painful, with the Turkish squad unable to hold on in the outsider's battle against Milan 64-77 [video highlights].
https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/969332891586002946
As has been the case for most of the season, the first 10 minutes had Anadolu Efes on track and playing well, but in the second quarter team just felt apart. They lost the period by 15 points with only 12 scored by themselves and that was it. Unfortunately for Motum, the team with the worst record in EuroLeague this season couldn’t fund a way to fight back.
Motum started and played 21 minutes overall. During his time on court, the Aussie scored just 4 points on 2-4 shooting, but grabbed 6 rebounds, had 2 assists and finished the game with 9 efficiency points. Anadolu Efes had a new leader this time -- Sonny Weems -- who signed a contract after playing 6 months in China. Weems led the team with 19 points, while Serbian Vladimir Stimac added 12 points in 17 minutes. Amath M’Baye (14 points), Curtis Jerrells (13 points) and Andrew Goudelock (13 points) led a balanced scoring attack for the Italian squad.
For Ergin Ataman and his players, it was their 3rd loss in a row and 18th in total this season. Milan (8/16) moved to 14th position after this win with just 6 rounds left.
After a quick break, Maccabi also couldn’t get back on winning track, with the Israeli's handed their second loss in a row. But this time you just can’t put blame on all on them, their opponent was just to good. Israeli squad coached by Neven Spahija was host to the best team in EuroLeague to date, and the only one with a guaranteed ticket to Top 8 stage.
CSKA Moscow took control of the game from early beginning, pushing harder in the second quarter, and then cruising after a break, but still finished it strong and got a win by 20 points 93-73 [video highlights].
Bolden with 12 points, was the second in his team by scoring and the best one with 20 efficiency points. The forward made 5-6 from inside the arc, missed 1 three-pointer and scored both times from the free throw line. He also had 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 block in 27 minutes of action.
https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/969602065076051968
Only two-time NBA champion Norris Cole (13) had more points than Aussie, while Alex Tyus added 10. As usual, Nando de Colo from France led the scoring with 19 points for visitors from Russia. His best helpers this time were Cory Higgins and Will Clyburn, who left the game with 16 and 10 points respectively.
Maccabi (12/12) still stands in safe 8th spot, but Baskonia (11/13) is just one win away and Unicaja Malaga (10/14) just 1 additional game further back but still within reach. CSKA is really comfortable at the top of the leader board with 19 wins and just 5 losses this season.
https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/969328389424283649