Aris was defeated by 74-72 (half-time 48-36) in Badalona to DKV Joventut, for the Game 1 of the Eurocup “Top 16”, mainly due to their very slow start. The “yellows” were down by 19 in the middle of the 2nd quarter and although they made a strong comeback and came really close (56-54 in 28’) they couldn’t take the lead at any point.
The local team was full of energy in the 1st period and led by 19-6, with 2:50 remaining. Tucker scored two tough three-pointers toward the end, thus establishing a 15-point lead for his side (23-8 and 26-11).
Things got worse in the beginning of the 2nd quarter, as the Catalans kept on scoring from outside the arc (8/12 three-pointers in the first half) and they extended their lead to 19 (37-18). The visitors reacted and cut it down to 9 (42-33) just before half-time, led by Aaron Miles.
David Blatt’s players showed their real potential in the second part, during which they were really good in defense and didn’t let DKV Joventut score another three-point shot. They came as close as 2 points (56-54, with 1:30 remaining for the end of the 3rd period), thanks to a dunk by Richardson. Clark had the chance to give Aris the lead in the next play, but he missed the three-pointed he shot.
The Spanish team took the chance to get a double-digit lead again into the 4th quarter and the “yellows” couldn’t do anything better than reduce it to 5 points (72-67, 1:38 before the end). In the remaining time, they didn’t make the shots, but at least they could make up the final result, thanks to a three-pointer by Clark in the last second.
Referees: Paolo Taurino(Italy), Luis Lopes (Portugal), Radomir Vojnovic (Montenegro).
Periods: 26-11, 48-36 (half-time), 62-54, 74-72.
DKV JOVENTUT(Sito Alonso): Tripkovic 13 (2), Valters 6 (2), Bogdanovic 2, Bueno 10, Hernandez - Sonseca 9 (1), Norel 2, Tomas 4, Koffi 8, Eyenga 3, Tucker 11 (3), Fernandez 6.
ARIS (David Blatt): Clark 16 (4), Betts 6, Richardson 17 (2), Chatzivrettas 2, Dikoudis, Skordilis, Paunic 5 (1), Kakiouzis 11 (1, 10 reb.), Barlos 2, Miles 13 (1).
In the other match of Group I, Alba Berlin beat Le Mans on the road by 63-68.
Standings:
TEAM W-L POINTS
1. Alba Berlin 1-0 68-63
2. DKV Joventut 1-0 74-72
3. Aris 0-1 72-74
4. Le Mans 0-1 63-68
