Worst Finishers: Khimki – Darussafaka
We have a new column on our website dedicated to the teams that cannot manage the final of the game. Especially the teams that are leading with 10 points in the last 2 minutes of the game and then they (almost) lose the game. This is not just about basketball, but about intelligence and strategy.
The first example is the Euroleague game between Khimki and Darussafaka. The host had a comfortable 83-73 lead with 2 minutes and 8 seconds remaining. And then the disaster stroke: Khimki made 5 turnovers in the last 2 minutes of the game. Can you imagine that Dee Bost made 3 turnovers in 8 seconds?
With 28 seconds left from the game, Khimki still led with 5 points and have as well the possession of the ball, thanks to a defensive rebound which gave them a new attack of 24 seconds. And in the next 15 seconds, the visitors from Dacka steal the ball 3 times and score 6 points, which put them in advantage with 1 point. Crazy and unheard at this basketball level. Only because the Khimki guards are not able to come with the ball and to keep it, waiting for the clock to run out!
All they had to do is just to come like Spanoulis did a hundred times, calm, slowing the dribbling, watching the seconds, the teammates, the opponents and waiting for an eventual foul which put you on the free throw line. You stop in the circle from the middle of the court and just protect the ball from stealing!
But inexperienced DACKA made also a huge mistake at the end of the game. They led with 84-83, with 13 seconds left and they’ve committed a foul directly on the shot when they had 2 more fouls to give to stop Khimki players and make them run out of time.
Gratian Cormos, info@brainbasketball.net
