/Group Stage Day 2\
Group Green
France (0-0) -V- Nigeria(0-0)Day 2 comes around in Sao Paulo as the crowd turns out in numbers as many fans of the French team fill the stands to support their squad. In the first game of the day they take on the Nigerian team led by Al-Farouq Aminu from the Wstern Conference finalists,Houston Rockets. Al-Farouq didn't waste any time as the very first possession of the game he pulls up and hits an 18-footer to start the game. The game's flow is slow to start with a lot of motion offense which leads to several easy buckets for the French team. Tony Parker utilizes the pick-and-roll beautifully to find Rudy Gobert for the ally-oop throwdown with authority over Talib Zanna. The previous dunk seemed to have improved the energy as France proceeds onto a 10-2 run over Nigeria and takes a 23-12 lead before a timeout is taken. Out of the timeout a sexy bounce pass is thrown from Stanley Gumut to Soloman Alabi for the easy 2. With some nice defense being played from both rosters, Nigeria finds themselves trailing 36-30 at the half.
Damien Inglis starts the second half with back-to-back 3s for France. The offense once again slows down on both ends and France takes advantage as Parker seemingly gets to the bucket at will against the Nigerian defense. During one of Parker's drives he dishes it off to Noah below and he goes up hard, completely running over Soloman Alabi. Alabi doesn't take kindly to the physicality and jumps up off the floor and pushes Joakim Noah and both teams huddle up to their teammates defense. Both players receive a technical and play continues. Even with Nigeria's improved effort, it proved to not be enough as France pulls ahead by 10 with 5 minutes left and never looked back, taking a 68-51 win.
Box Score
France(1-0)Tony Parker 13pts - 2reb - 7ast - 0blk - 1stl
Nando De Colo 6pts - 0reb - 2ast - 0blk - 0stl
Nicolas Batum 10pts - 5reb - 1ast - 2blk - 3stl
Joakim Noah 15pts - 11reb - 4ast - 3blk - 0stl
Rudy Gobert 5pts - 8reb - 0ast - 2blk - 0stl
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Boris Diaw 4pts - 5reb - 6ast - 0blk - 1stl
Damien Inglis 8pts - 1reb - 1ast - 0blk - 0stl
Rodrigue Beaubois 2pts - 3reb - 4ast - 0blk - 1stl
Louis Labeyrie 2pts - 1reb - 0ast - 0blk - 0stl
Ronny Turiaf 3pts - 3reb - 0ast - 0blk - 0stl
Nigeria(0-1)
Ben Uzoh 4pts - 1reb - 4ast - 0blk - 0stl
Jamal Olasewere 6pts - 2reb - 0ast - 2blk - 1stl
Al-Farouq Aminu 18pts - 5reb - 2ast - 1blk - 0stl
Talib Zanna 14pts - 7reb - 3ast - 0blk - 0stl
Soloman Alabi 1pts - 8reb - 1ast - 3blk - 0stl
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Festus Ezeli 2pts - 6reb - 0ast - 0blk - 0stl
Alade Aminu 6pts - 4reb - 0ast - 1blk - 0stl
Jeg Clai 0pts - 1reb - 0ast - 0blk - 0stl
Stanley Gumut 0pts - 2reb - 3ast - 0blk - 0stl
Congo(0-0) -V- Slovenia(0-0)
As Congo and Slovenia take the floor, many people considered Congo a dark horse in this tournament as their entire roster is filled with athletic players, especially focusing in the inside with the shot-blocking duo of Bismack Biyombo and Serge Ibaka. This game is viewed as the most important to prove that they are contender in this group. Another slow start for both teams in this game and Slovenia can't seem to find their stroke from outside which was touted as their main strength. Even with Slovenia not able to find their rhythm, they still only trailed 25-22 at halftime.
For as good as Congo was defensively, they struggled to put the ball in the bucket and eventually Slovenia did find their missing outside shot and cruised to an easy 58-44 win.
Memphis G Goran Dragic shot well and led his Slovenia squad
Box Score
Congo(0-1)Tatu Kalengayi 3pts - 2reb - 2ast - 0blk - 0stl
Christian Eyenga 16pts - 5reb - 0ast - 1blk - 2stl
Docta Lukusa 4pts - 5reb - 2ast - 1blk - 0stl
Serge Ibaka 12pts - 10reb - 2ast - 5blk - 1stl
Bismack Biyombo 4pts - 8reb - 1ast - 3blk - 0stl
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Lifetu Selengue 0pts - 4reb - 1ast - 1blk - 0stl
Djo Loo Yele 4pts - 6reb - 0ast - 2blk - 0stl
Pressta Nzuzi Malemba 1pts - 0reb - 2ast - 0blk - 0stl
Slovenia(1-0)
Beno Udrih 12pts - 4reb - 5ast - 0blk - 0stl
Goran Dragic 23pts - 1reb - 2ast - 0blk - 0stl
Zoran Dragic 6pts - 0reb - 2ast - 0blk - 1stl
Jure Balazic 0pts - 4reb - 0ast - 2blk - 0stl
Gasper Vidmar 7pts - 12reb - 0ast - 1blk - 0stl
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Jaka Blazic 6pts - 3reb - 4ast - 0blk - 1stl
Jaka Klobucar 0pts - 1reb - 5ast - 0blk - 0stl
Alen Omic 5pts - 2reb - 0ast - 0blk - 0stl
Uros Slokar 4pts - 2reb - 0ast - 0blk - 1stl
Alen Zuponic 1pts - 0reb - 0ast - 0blk - 0stl
France(1-0) -V- Slovenia(1-0)
With both teams coming off a victory in their opening match, they take the floor in confidence. Jaka Blazic was subbed in early in the first half for Zoran Dragic and performed as if he deserved it, scoring at a steady pace throughout the half. As Blazic lead all bench scorers from either team, he couldn't keep up with the scoring tandem of Nicolas Batum and Tony Parker. At the halfway point of the game, France led 49-39.
Out of the locker room, you can see the determination on the faces of Tony Parker and Nicolas Batum and that has to instill at least a bit of fear in Slovenia. However, Slovenia didn't appear scared once they got back on the court, starting the second half with a 13-6 run. Once again, as in the last game, Joakim Noah got into a tussle with Jure Balazic down low and had to be separated by the officials and their teammates. Joakim picks up his 4th foul the next trip down on defense, meaning he has to take a seat early in the second half. While Noah sits on the bench, Slovenia fights to not just keep it close, but take a lead. Goran Dragic buries a step-back jumper in the face of De Colo to bring them within 4 points. Batum speaks with De Colo down the floor and it seems when Slovenia returns to offense that Batum has switched onto defending Goran Dragic. Batum holds a solid size advantage other Goran Dragic but it didn't seem to matter as Goran fakes the step-back 3 and drives into the lane to kick it out to his brother Zoran in the corner. Zoran throws up the 3 while De Colo is late to close out. Nothing but net is heard as Slvenia now only trails by a single point. France appears disheartened but still continues to run their offense as Joakim Noah just returns into the game with 1:28 remaining. Parker drives the lane and passes it to the aforementioned Noah who blows a wide-open lay in. Gasper Vidmar comes down with the rebound and kicks it ahead to Beno Udrih. Udrih sets up the offense and makes the pass to Goran Dragic, but Batum reads it and jumps into the passing lane. Nicolas Batum finishes the one-man fast break with a two-handed dunk and cementing the victory for France 80-77
CSL veteran G Tony Parker's composure is a huge factor for France
Box Score
France(2-0)Tony Parker 12pts - 2reb - 9ast - 0blk - 1stl
Nando De Colo 4pts - 0reb - 3ast - 1blk - 0stl
Nicolas Batum 14pts - 6reb - 3ast - 1blk - 2stl
Joakim Noah 10pts - 12reb - 4ast - 3blk - 2stl
Rudy Gobert 10pts - 9reb - 1ast - 4blk - 1stl
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Boris Diaw 11pts - 1reb - 3ast - 0blk - 1stl
Damien Inglis 6pts - 2reb - 2ast - 0blk - 0stl
Rodrigue Beaubois 8pts - 4reb - 6ast - 1blk - 3stl
Louis Labeyrie 2pts - 3reb - 0ast - 0blk - 0stl
Ronny Turiaf 3pts - 1reb - 0ast - 1blk - 0stl
Slovenia(1-1)
Beno Udrih 15pts - 0reb - 6ast - 0blk - 0stl
Goran Dragic 26pts - 2reb - 3ast - 0blk - 1stl
Zoran Dragic 10pts - 4reb - 1ast - 0blk - 0stl
Jure Balazic 4pts - 10reb - 2ast - 1blk - 0stl
Gasper Vidmar 10pts - 13reb - 0ast - 3blk - 0stl
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Jaka Blazic 8pts - 4reb - 1ast - 0blk - 2stl
Jaka Klobucar 0pts - 2reb - 2ast - 0blk - 0stl
Alen Omic 2pts - 5reb - 1ast - 2blk - 1stl
Uros Slokar 2pts - 1reb - 0ast - 0blk - 1stl
Alen Zuponic 0pts - 1reb - 2ast - 0blk - 0stl
Congo(0-1) -V- Nigeria(0-1)
The two African teams competing in this invitational got paired in the same group and must compete against each other in this next game. Congo has the advantage defensively on paper, but Nigeria is viewed as the much better offensive team, either way it should make for a great contest.
The tip gets controlled by Congo and Tatu Kalengayi, whom has struggled in the tournament so far, quickly gets into the lane and lobs an ally-oop to fellow guard Christian Eyenga on a backdoor cut attempting to start the game off with a bang! At the last second Soloman Alabi winds up and swats the dunk attempt into the 3rd row of the stands. The crowd erupts into cheering as the game had already the possible highlight of the night, 15 seconds in. A chant continues minutes in the game as Congo has overcome that initial outplay to carry a 2-point lead. Talib Zanna ties the game for Nigeria with a slam dunk off the pick-and-roll but then proceeding trip for Congo, Presta Nzuzi Malemba finds Christian Eyenga once again on the same play as the opening one, this time though Eyenga slams it down with no contest at the rim. That play ignited Eyenga who is known as a streaky player and he starts hitting jupm shots and making plays offensively to extend the lead to 8 points for Congo. Biyombo and Ibaka put on a shot-blocking clinic to take the 36-29 lead at halftime.
Christian Eyenga doesn't slow down as the 2nd half starts rolling, as Congo continues to impress with their defensive prowess, only rivals by Russia earlier in the tournament so far. Congo knows that as long as their offense stays steady and consistent, they should be able to close out the game. Al-Farouq Aminu tries to make a late-game push for Nigeria but it isn't enough as Congo had established a good enough lead and holds of Nigeria for a 59-51 win.
Box Score
Congo(1-1)Tatu Kalengayi 5pts - 0reb - 8ast - 1blk - 1stl
Christian Eyenga 22pts - 6reb - 4ast - 2blk - 1stl
Docta Lukusa 2pts - 4reb - 3ast - 1blk - 0stl
Serge Ibaka 16pts - 14reb - 2ast - 3blk - 3stl
Bismack Biyombo 4pts - 10reb - 1ast - 8blk - 0stl
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Lifetu Selengue 3pts - 4reb - 1ast - 0blk - 0stl
Djo Loo Yele 6pts - 1reb - 0ast - 1blk - 0stl
Presta Nzuzi Malemba 1pts - 1reb - 4ast - 0blk - 0stl
Nigeria(0-2)
Ben Uzoh 10pts - 3reb - 3ast - 0blk - 2stl
Jamal Olasewere 0pts - 2reb - 2ast - 1blk - 1stl
Al-Farouq Aminu 14pts - 0reb - 5ast - 0blk - 2stl
Talib Zanna 15pts - 12reb - 2ast - 1blk - 0stl
Soloman Alabi 6pts - 5reb - 0ast - 2blk - 0stl
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Festus Ezeli 2pts - 7reb - 0ast - 0blk - 0stl
Alade Aminu 4pts - 2reb - 2ast - 1blk - 1stl
Jeg Clai 0pts - 0reb - 1ast - 0blk - 1stl
Stanley Gumut 0pts - 3reb - 2ast - 0blk - 0stl
Congo(1-1) -V- France(2-0)
Coming into this game off their incredible victory over Nigeria, Congo was in control of their own destiny. If they were somehow able to dethrone the undefeated favorites of the group France in this game, they could secure their spot in the quarterfinals. Not an easy task to fulfill by any stretch of the imagination and France proved why early, notching 6 quick points before Congo could get on the board. France continued to show the flaws that Congo brought into this game with their lack of consistency on the offensive end, easily holding Congo to a 30-16 score at halftime in favor of France.
Even with Congo knowing the importance of this game, they couldn't get it rolling at all this game and France's guard play of Tony Parker and Nando De Colo were just took much on the perimeter as France finishes a perfect group stage with a 62-33 blowout triumph.
Box Score
Congo(1-2)Tatu Kalengayi 2pts - 1reb - 4ast - 0blk - 1stl
Christian Eyenga 15pts - 2reb - 1ast - 2blk - 0stl
Docta Lukusa 6pts - 9reb - 3ast - 0blk - 2stl
Serge Ibaka 8pts - 11reb - 1ast - 3blk - 2stl
Bismack Biyombo 0pts - 6reb - 3ast - 2blk - 0stl
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Lifetu Selengue 0pts - 3reb - 0ast - 1blk - 0stl
Djo Loo Yele 2pts - 2reb - 0ast - 0blk - 0stl
Presta Nzuzi Malemba 0pts - 0reb - 1ast - 0blk - 0stl
France(3-0)
Tony Parker 9pts - 2reb - 13ast - 1blk - 0stl
Nando De Colo 16pts - 0reb - 4ast - 0blk - 0stl
Nicolas Batum 10pts - 5reb - 1ast - 1blk - 4stl
Joakim Noah 8pts - 17reb - 2ast - 2blk - 0stl
Rudy Gobert 6pts - 7reb - 1ast - 1blk - 0stl
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Boris Diaw 6pts - 1reb - 7ast - 1blk - 1stl
Damien Inglis 3pts - 0reb - 1ast - 0blk - 0stl
Rodrigue Beaubois 4pts - 1reb - 3ast - 0blk - 2stl
Louis Labeyrie 0pts - 4reb - 1ast - 1blk - 0stl
Ronny Turiaf 0pts - 2reb - 0ast - 0blk - 0stl
Nigeria(0-2) -V- Slovenia(1-1)
France, coming of their last game win over Congo now sit courtside within the fans to spectate the final game of Group Green. Slovenia now was out to secure their spot in the next round with a win. If a loss was to happen, it'd force a 3-team tie-breaker to decide who advances as the 2nd seed from this group. Slovenia looked hell-bent on making sure that scenario didn't occur however as they started the game on fire from the perimeter. Goran Dragic has been a lead force so far in the tourny and this game he seemed to rub off his skillset on his brother as Zoran Dragic, recent 27th overall pick in the CSL Draft, took over and scores frequently and efficiently. Nigeria responded quite well, thwarting multiple attempts from Slovenia at the rim. Everything led to a 37-32 margin for Slovenia at the half.
Coming out of the break, Nigeria played more physical and it affected Slovenia's offense as the Aminu pair carried the momentum into a 45-43 comeback lead for Nigeria. Their head coach William Voigt stressed the importance of this single game to them during their next time out. Talib Zanna scores a nice hook shot over the out-stretched arm of Jure Balazic to keep the score in favor of Nigeria for the moment. Coming closer to the end of regulation minutes, Slovenia appeared to want to slow down their offense and not force shots against the strong Nigerian defense. Moving the ball well led to multiple open baskets for Gasper Vidmar. Then following up the buckets by Vidmar, Goran Dragic swishes a 3-ball to put the final nail in the coffin for Nigeria and Congo's advancement dreams, as Slovenia's performance culminates into a 71-66 victory and a spot in the EI Final Bracket.
Slovenia's C Gaspar Vidmar has been an inside presence that was much needed for Slovenia to make it out of groups
Box Score
Nigeria(0-3)Ben Uzoh 6pts - 3reb - 10ast - 0blk - 1stl
Jamal Olaswere 4pts - 1reb - 2ast - 0blk - 0stl
Al-Farouq Aminu 20pts - 9reb - 3ast - 1blk - 1stl
Talib Zanna 17pts - 6reb - 0ast - 0blk - 1stl
Soloman Alabi 8pts - 8reb - 2ast - 2blk - 0stl
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Festus Ezeli 3pts - 6reb - 1ast - 1blk - 0stl
Alade Aminu 8pts - 4reb - 0ast - 1blk - 1stl
Jeg Clai 2pts - 1reb - 1ast - 0blk - 0stl
Stanley Gumut 2pts - 0reb - 0ast - 0blk - 0stl
Slovenia(2-1)
Beno Udrih 11pts - 3reb - 7ast - 0blk - 2stl
Goran Dragic 16pts - 0reb - 7ast - 0blk - 2stl
Zoran Dragic 18pts - 3reb - 4ast - 1blk - 0stl
Jure Balazic 4pts - 7reb - 1ast - 2blk - 0stl
Gasper Vidmar 10pts - 12reb - 0ast - 1blk - 0stl
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Jaka Blazic 6pts - 5reb - 0ast - 0blk - 0stl
Jaka Klobucar 0pts - 0reb - 2ast - 0blk - 0stl
Alen Omic 2pts - 4reb - 0ast - 1blk - 1stl
Uros Slokar 2pts - 3reb - 1ast - 0blk - 0stl
Alen Zuponic 2pts - 2reb - 0ast - 0blk - 1stl
