The 20-point win came two days after beating EuroLeague leader Crvena Zvezda in the ABA League
Coach Mitrovic praises team focus as Cedevita controls Hamburg
Game Report
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 8 of 18
Regular Season
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Cedevita Olimpija LjubljanaCOL
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Veolia Towers HamburgHAM
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Overview
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Coach Zvezdan Mitrovic really praised his Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana team for focusing on delivering a strong performance in a comfortable win over Veolia Towers Hamburg just two days after getting an emotional victory in the ABA League.
Cedevita picked up its third straight triumph to pull into a three-way tie for first place in Group A of the BKT EuroCup by beating winless Hamburg 93-73 to improve to 6-2.
“We put a lot of pressure on them with energy. We controlled the game from the beginning. We had some problems in the first quarter with some rebounds but otherwise we had the game in our hands,” said the Cedevita coach in the post-game interview.
“In this period, this was the most important game for us. We respect all teams when they arrive here. As you can see, this is a team - okay they are bottom of the league - but they are a team with a lot of very good players. This, you can see on the court. And last year we lost our last game against Hamburg. I was very focused and I tried to focus my players on the game.”
And Cedevita did that. The home side went on a 12-1 run to take a 17-point lead at 41-24 in the second quarter. Hamburg only managed to get within 10 points the rest of the way and it was no closer than 12 points in the second half.
Cedevita committed only 9 turnovers while shooting 65.1% on two-pointers and grabbing 13 offensive rebounds. Five players scored in double figures, led by DJ Stewart’s 17 points and 4 assists, while Thomas Kennedy tied a career high with 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
“No wins are easy. They hung around for a long time. We got out to a lead and they went on run. So, controlling the game was important for us. The margin might make it look easy, but still we performed well,” said Kennedy, who wowed the crowd with a massive dunk after a drive to the basket early in the third quarter.
“Every win is important, especially on the home court, especially games you are supposed to win. We want to keep rolling.”
Cedevita is now even atop Group A with Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem and Bahcesehir College Istanbul.
And the win came just two days after Cedevita knocked off EuroLeague co-leader Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 87-86 at home to stay atop Group B of the ABA League.
“Two days ago we played for us and our level, an amazing game against Crvena Zvezda,” Mitrovic said. “I think in the end, this result is realistic. I am happy about this. I really congratulate my players.”
At the other end of the standings is Hamburg, which has now lost all 15 of its games this season, including all eight in the EuroCup. New addition Devon Daniels looks like a good signing as he collected 19 points and 5 assists in his debut with the club and Zacharie Perrin continued his strong season, the French youngster amassing 14 points and 6 rebounds.
But Hamburg shot only 47.6% on two-pointers as well as 30.8% from long range. The German side came into the game ranked 19th in scoring (78.0 ppg), 16th in two-point shooting (50.5%) and last in three-pointers (25.9%).
Hamburg head coach Benka Barloschky tried to sound upbeat after the game.
"I think we’re getting better - slowly, day by day, game by game. We lose by 20 points, but I don’t think that we were 20 points worse tonight. We have to find a way to accept the physical level of this game,” he said.
“We have good players with a lot of potential and slowly we’re working ourselves to that level. It’s taking us longer this year, but I am still very optimistic. I’m still proud of this group because they are making steps. At some point, if we keep working in the right way, we will reward ourselves with a win. And that will hopefully give us more energy for the next tasks ahead.”
The regular season is still one game shy of the halfway point, but Hamburg already finds itself four games behind the final spot for the playoffs. Cedevita, on the other hand, has to feel good about itself going into the national team break.
