A decisive performance in a narrow home victory has earned Scottie Wilbekin of Maccabi Tel-Aviv the MVP honor for Round 1 of the new EuroLeague Regular Season!
Wilbekin scored 13 of his team’s 15 points in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead free throws with 29 seconds left, as Maccabi outlasted FC Bayern Munich 69-68.
He finished the game with 28 points, matching his career-high and outscoring any other Round 1 player, making 4 of 7 two-point shots, 4 of 6 threes and 8 of 8 free throws. With 3 assists, 3 steals and 6 fouls drawn, his performance index rating reached 32, the best among winning players in Round 1 and the second-best of his 141 EuroLeague career games.
Shane Larkin of Anadolu Efes Istanbul had the week’s highest PIR, 35. But, despite his 21 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, the defending champs lost 82-69 at Real Madrid.
Following Larkin came Nikola Mirotic. His perfect shooting night for 22 points in less than 18 minutes anchored FC Barcelona’s blowout 96-64 home win over ALBA Berlin.
Three victorious players tied for fourth place in EuroLeague Round 1, all with PIRs of 24. Nicolo Melli combined 15 points with 6 rebounds as AX Armani Milano topped CSKA Moscow.
Walter Tavares had 13 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks as Real defeated Efes. And debutant Elie Okobo missed just one free throw among 23 points to lead LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne past Zalgiris Kaunas.
